Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you receive any of the following benefits:

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you receive:

• Universal Credit with a household income of less than £7,400 per year (after tax and not including any benefits)

• Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance

• Child Tax Credit (with a household income below £16,190 and not entitled to Working Tax Credit)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

Important Information About Eligibility

• If your claim was approved on or before 31 March 2025, your child will continue to receive free school meals until they finish their current phase of education (primary or secondary), even if your circumstances change.

• If you have a younger child starting school in September, they will not be automatically eligible if you no longer meet the criteria. A new application will be required.

• Any claims approved from 1 April 2025 onwards:

  • Will not include transitional protection

  • Will be reviewed annually to confirm ongoing eligibility

Applying

If you believe you may be eligible, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, using the link on this page. If you need support with your application, please contact the school office.