Advice for Parents/Carers on Applying for Free School Meals - April 2020

Please note that ALL children between Reception & Year 2 are entitled to a Universal Free School Meal in government-funded schools - this entitlement is different from Free School Meals.

In light of the current pandemic situation and families changing financial situations, you may find that you now meet the criteria below.

The government states that –

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2022.

The above information is from https://www.gov.uk/

To find further information or to apply if you think you may fit the criteria above, you can go to

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Once schools return - there is also the option of downloading and printing off the form below if you would like to check whether you are entitled to free school meals and return it to the office.