Eligibility for free school meals

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

More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

If your school does not sign up for the City of York Council eligibility scheme, the school may require you to apply for free school meals direct to them or to their provider. Please check with school whether their free school applications are made through the council or through the school.

Apply online for free school meals

Note: You're not entitled to apply for free school meals if you receive contributions-based benefits, including contribution-related Job Seekers' Allowance.

More information for families with no recourse to public funds can be found at Providing free school meals to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) - GOV.UK.

The Pupil Premium

If you feel you may meet the low income criteria (as above), you should still apply for free school meals, as schools will benefit from additional funding known as the Pupil Premium.

Universal Infant free school meals

All children are automatically eligible to receive free school meals in:

• Reception
• Year 1
• Year 2

Nursery Children and 6th Form

Nursery children are entitled to free meals if they meet all the following criteria:

• their parents receive one of the qualifying benefits for free school meals
• the child receives education before and after the lunch time period
• the child is in a maintained nursery provision
• the parents, or another responsible adult, have made a claim for a free meal

These criteria apply whether a child is attending funded or bought hours.

Post-16 students can receive free school meals. You should discuss this with your school or college.

Holiday activities and food

A range of holiday activity schemes will be available for children and young people during the Christmas, Easter and Summer school holidays. The holiday activities and food page outlines some of these schemes.

These sessions will include a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts, and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day. They are being provided to targeted children as part of the government’s expanded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme which is being delivered across the City of York area.

Also see

• Help With Food
• Apply for free school meals
• Assistance with school uniform
• Schools and education