With many people having their income hit by coronavirus and claiming benefits for the first time, you may not be aware that your child could be entitled to free school meals. (This isn't to be confused with universal infant free school meals, available to all school children from reception to year two). However, it is still worth applying, as the school receives extra funding to support eligible pupils throughout school, even if your financial circumstances change.

 

Who is eligible?

Your child will typically be able to get free school meals if you fulfill the criteria in the following two steps:

 

Step 1. You are claiming one of these benefits:

· 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

· Working tax credit/working tax credit run-on (1)

· Universal credit

 

· In England and Wales you can't get free school meals if you get working tax credit - you can only qualify with the 'working tax credit run-on'.

 

Step 2. You are earning below a certain amount:

· If you receive universal credit, you can earn up to £7,400/year (in total earnings).

· If you receive child tax credit (but not working tax credit), you can earn up to £16,190/year.

 

 

To apply:

 

· You can apply here: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/ or

· Contact the School Office or Mrs Newbury - Family Liaison Officer if you need any help applying.