Free school meals frequently asked questions

• Who is eligible for free school meals?
• What age must my child be to receive free school meals?
• How do I apply for free school meals?
• What evidence will be accepted as proof that I am in receipt of a qualifying benefit?
• I am waiting for my claim for benefit to be assessed, what should I do?
• How often do I need to renew my claim for free school meals?
• My circumstances have changed, do I need to notify anyone?

Who is eligible for free school meals?

From 27 October 2008, parents receiving any of the following support payments are entitled to Free School Meals for their children:

• Income support (IS)
• Income based jobseekers allowance (IBJSA)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child tax credit only, (not in receipt of working tax credit), and an annual income as assessed by the Inland Revenue not exceeding £16,190
• Guarantee element of state pension credit
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (IR))
• Working Tax Credit 'Run-On' - Where the claimant has stopped working, or their hours have dropped below 16 hours per week and their Working Tax Credit has ended. This will grant a four-week entitlement.

Pupils who receive income support in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals. If you require further guidance on qualifying benefits please contact the free school meals section.

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What age must my child be to receive free school meals?

Where eligible, free meals are available for full time pupils at school. This includes nursery children who attend full days and also sixth form pupils. Meals are not available for students at further education colleges.

How do I apply for free school meals?

You should complete an application form and return it to your child's school. We will use a secure government website to check your eligibility to free school meals. However, if your eligibility cannot be confirmed using this website you will be asked to provide paper evidence.

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What evidence will be accepted as proof that I am in receipt of a qualifying benefit?

If your eligibility to free school meals cannot be confirmed on the government secure website then you will be asked to provide one of the following to support your claim:

• A letter from the benefits agency or Job Centre dated within the last eight weeks, or
• Your most recent form TC602 from the Inland Revenue showing your tax credit award.
• Pension Credit M1000 Award Notice showing how your pension credit has been worked out.
• Home Office document confirming asylum seeker status.

If you have misplaced your TC602 form you should telephone the Inland Revenue helpdesk on 0845 300 3900 who will send out a replacement.

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I am waiting for my claim for benefit to be assessed, what should I do?

If you have made a new claim for income support, income based jobseekers allowance, child tax credit or pension credits and are waiting for your claim to be assessed please submit your application form to the school without the evidence. The school will hold the form until you are able to supply the evidence. Once you receive notification of your entitlement to benefit you should take this to the school who will be able to backdate your claim to the date that you submitted your original application form to them.

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How often do I need to renew my claim for free school meals?

Entitlement to free school meals are reviewed every 12 months. The school will send you a pre-printed form about three weeks before your entitlement is due to expire. You need to return the form to school by the date shown in order for your claim to continue. If you fail to renew on time your entitlement will expire and you will have to pay for any meals taken until such time as you are able to provide the necessary evidence. Claims will not be backdated.

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My circumstances have changed, do I need to notify anyone?

If your circumstances change you must notify your child's school or the school meals section immediately. Changes we need to know about are:

• a change of school
• you stop receiving income support, income based job seekers allowance or pension credits
• you begin to receive working tax credit
• your child goes into foster care or no longer lives with you

If there are any other changes please contact the school administrator or school meals section who will advise whether or not your child is still eligible for assistance.

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Trips and residential visits

Students who are receiving free school meals are entitled to free board and lodging during residential school trips.

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Application form

Please print off the free school meals application form below, and then complete and return it to your child's school, together with proof of your qualifying benefit.

Application form for free school meals [62KB]

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