Availability of Free School Meals
Free school meals are provided in the United Kingdom where the local education authorities see fit. Although it is law that all children should be given the option of a free school meal, should their circumstances permit, not all local education authorities in conjunction with their respective councils can afford such a provision. Free school meals now only apply in England and Wales – again where provisions exist – but in Scotland this is something that is only allowed at the discretion of individual education departments.
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The first things to remember is that your local education authority is responsible by law to provide your child with free school meals should you fall into any of the categories – or criteria- that are required for them to do so. It is a given that any student in full time education is entitled to free school meals.
Those who are most eligible for free school meals are the following:
- Children whose parents receive Family Income Support
- The children of parents receiving Income Based Job-Seekers Allowance
- Any student whose parents receive Child Tax Credit but do not recieve Working Tax Credit and whose annual family income is less than £16,190 as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs (2016 - these values are changed anually).
- Those children who are supported by Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Children who are being cared for by guardians who receive Pension Credit (under the ‘Guarantee Credit Element’).
Your local council or education authority will be able to provide you with further information on any special circumstances that they may perceive as being reasonable grounds for receiving free school meals.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Applying for Free School Meals
When you first apply for a place at a particular school for your child they will ask you – if the provision to do so is there – if your child wishes to take advantage of the free school meals system. If this is the case you will be required to fill out an application form or renewal of free school meals application form and also provide proof of your child’s eligibility. With this form you will be asked to provide the school with a copy of your Pension Guarantee Credit notice, proof of Income Based Job Seekers Allowance of Child Tax Credit.
It is worth noting at this stage that if you do not – or cannot – provide the school with the relevant information, which they will forward on to the local education authority, your child will not be allowed to take free school meals and as a result you as the guardian or parent may incur a daily charge for a meal if your child wishes to have one in school.
My daughter is 40 months old and is going 30 hours on preschool Kent. They're saying that the lunch is 2.40 at day but i am 18 hours working on universal credit single mum and I want to check is my daughter must have a free lunch meal and if yes do I need to aplly somewhere for it?
Thank you
I get child tax credits and working tax credits, I now earn over £20000.
We've been told she's on the list and is entitled to the free meals, where is the best place to speak to somebody so I can sort this out, I don't want to spend the voucher and find out I have to pay it back?
The oldest son attends Hillingdon Manor school in Hillingdon borough, but we are residents of Hounslow borough.
My son is eligible for free school meals.
Hounslow council rejected my apply.
Hillingdon borough resend me to apply at Hillingdon Manor school.
The school answered that it is a private school and they cannot help me with providing my son free school meals.
What I need to do?
Alex
My son attends a independent school for children with additional needs prior to this he was a PRU for almost 2 years in receipt of free school meals. This school does not have facilities to provide children dinner was the only school available that could meet his needs all the others within our area declined application this school hes now attending is out of our attachment area in another town almost an hour away from our family home. For 2 years I have provided him with a pack lunch, as food is something he struggles with this has become an even bigger expense than when he 1st started. (stealing food) I cannot send him to school without a meal so this then means I have to purchase again.
Do you have any advice on who i should contact in regards to seeing if any help is available with this please. Thanks in advance.
Is my 11 yr old son entitled to free school meals as i was told he isnt...yet a friend of mine works more hrs...in recepit of tax credits and receives free meals for her 11 yr old.
I’m considering going for a job I’ve seen, it’s 21hours a week in a charity shop at minimum wage..... but if I get it would I lose my free school meals? They really help as I get free school trips and help with uniform costs. I’m unsure if I’d be better off working & losing this?
I’d really appreciate any help on this.
Do my children are entitled to free school meal
The children in the family should be entitled, due to benefits received by the parent, to receive free school meals, however I'm wondering whether councils fund meals at a private, fee paying school?
It's Westminster Council in question.
Thanks for your help.
My son has been attending full time secondary school in England since September 18 and has been eligible for free school meals as I'm in receipt of ESA, child tax credits and child benefit. Our benefits have not changed but my son's mental health issues have forced me to request that he attends school just part time, (All lessons prior to lunchtime.) I am hoping you could tell me if we are still eligible for free school meals as my income is very low and this is going to have a undesired effect on me financially. I am aware that it states free meals are for full time students but was wondering what the special circumstances consist of so that I can look into if we have grounds to request he should be eligible for free school meals.
Thank you
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