Free school meals eligibility criteria
To qualify for free school meals, a pupil or their parents must receive one or more of the following support payments:
- Income Support (IS)
- Jobseekers Allowance Income based (JSAIB)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA)
- Child Tax Credit (if not eligible for Working Tax Credit and have an annual household income below £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit (household annual net income must be below £7,400 as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs)
Parents receiving Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (contribution based), Working Tax Credit or other benefits are not eligible.
Parents will get a letter confirming their child's eligibility, and the school will be notified directly by the council.
Eligibility is reviewed every year, and parents will be notified automatically.
Change of circumstances
Parents should inform the council of any changes, such as:
- starting work or a change in benefits
- moving to a new a address
- changing schools
Appeals
Parents may appeal if free school meals are denied. Appeals must be made in writing with supporting evidence.