Covid-19 and Free School Meals

If your situation has changed due to the Covid-19 crisis, you may be able to apply for free school meals. Please contact the school office for further details and an application form. They will help you make the process easy.

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.

What about infants that receive a free meal under universal infant free school meals?

There is no requirement to continue to provide universal infant free school meals to pupils in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2 who are unable to attend school. Children in those year groups who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals will be supported, please apply through the school office.

When School is open as normal:

EVERY child in Foundation 2, Year 1 and Year 2 will receive a free school dinner every day, regardless of whether you are in receipt of means-tested benefits.  This is brilliant news for families!

Even though every child is entitled to a free school meal, if you do receive a means-tested benefit, you will still need to register for free school meals.  This will ensure that school receives additional funding called ‘Pupil Premium’ which can help support teaching and learning in school.