If you receive one of the following benefits then your children may be entitled to free school meals.

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit and a household income below £16,190, and not receiving Working Tax Credit
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit

Please note that contributions-based benefits do not entitle you to assistance with free school meals.

You may also be entitled if you have just started to work less than 16 hours a week, or immediately after employment has ceased for a temporary four week 'run-on' period only.

Free school meals are available to all pupils including sixth form students in schools, and nursery children who attend for full days.

How to apply

Download and complete an Educational Benefits Form, available on this page.  In most cases we can confirm your eligibility without written proof, and we will contact you if we require writen proof.  If you do send proofs with your application, please only send photocopies and not originals.  All proof must be dated within the last three months and clearly state your entitlement to benefit. 

We inform schools of any new claims for Free School Meals on a weekly basis.  Please contact the school if you have recently submitted an application.

Renewals

Meals are reviewed and renewed periodically to ensure you are still eligible.  You may recieve a letter with the date your child's meals will stop, asking you to renew. You will then have to complete a new application and provide written proof of benefit.

Meals will be provided by the school up to the date we know you are still entitled.

If your circumstances change, and you are no longer entitled to Free School Meals or a qualifying benefit, you must inform us immediately.  If you fail to do so, you will have to pay back the cost of these meals.

Additional information

All claims are treated in confidence, and the same meals are provided to all children whether they are paid for or provided free.

Menus will be sent home with your child, and they do not have to take up a meal every day, you can still provide a pack up when you want to.

You will also need to tell us about any changes of home address or a change of school so that there is no interruption to your child's meals.