Free School Meals
At present in England, every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 receive a free school meal, if they attend a state-funded school.
At present in England, every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 receive a free school meal, if they attend a state-funded school.
This was implemented in 2014 with the aim ensure every child in England in key state one receives at least one hot, nutritious meal a day.
When your child moves up to key stage 2, you can still apply for a free school meal, but this is means tested and may only be granted if you receive 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 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) Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is: Younger that the compulsory age for starting school In full-time education If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2023. Contact your local council for more information. Wales Your child may be able to receive 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 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) Contact your local council for more information. Scotland Your child can get free lunches in school if you get: Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £625) Income Support Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Your child is also entitled to free school lunches if you get: Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,105 Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and have an income of up to £7,500 Your child might still get a free lunch in school if you’re experiencing financial hardship.
This could be because: Your immigration status means you cannot get help from the government You’re still waiting on your first Universal Credit notice Your child may also be able to get a free lunch if at any point since they were aged 2 they’ve been: Looked after Had a Kinship Care Order Had a Guardianship Order Contact your local council for more information Northern Ireland Your child could get free lunches or milk at school if you: Receive Universal Credit and your net earnings aren’t over £14,000 a year Receive Income Support Receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance Get support under the Immigration and Asylum Act Get Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less Get Working Tax Credit “run-on” - the payment someone may receive for four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit Receive the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit Or if your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to need a special diet, or they board at a special school. Contact your local council for more information. Sources (as was stated on February 2022): https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meal.
https://www.mygov.scot/school-meal.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/nutrition-and-school-lunches
At present in England, every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 receive a free school meal, if they attend a state-funded school.