Claiming for Free School Meals

If you think your child may qualify for benefit related Free School Meals, please read the following information so that you can begin to start the claim process.

Why should I claim for Free School Meals?

It is really important, that if you feel you may be entitled to claim for Free School Meals, that you do so. This is because there is additional government funding awarded to the school, called the Pupil Premium, which is awarded to schools according to the number of children in receipt of Free School Meals. This means that claiming for Free School Meals could also help your child receive other benefits at school. Therefore, if you do feel you are entitled to claim, it is very much in your, your child and the school’s interest that you do make this claim. 

Who is entitled to Free School Meals

All infant school children, those in reception, year 1 and year 2 have been entitled to free school meals since September 2014. Just tell us that you want your child or children to have free school meals.

If your infant child would have been entitled to free school meals under the old system, because you are receiving qualifying benefits (listed below) the government will give your school a Pupil Premium of £1,320 for primary-aged pupils.

For the school and your child to benefit from this money Wiltshire Council need to know that you are receiving a qualifying benefit. 

For children in years 3 and above, free school meals are not provided automatically. They can be awarded only if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Job Seeker's Allowance (income-based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
• support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit - providing you are NOT entitled to Working Tax Credit and your family's annual income (as assessed by HMRC) is not more than £16,190 (as at 6 April 2012)
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment you may receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods) 

How do I apply for Free School Meals

You can apply online at Wiltshire Council's website or by clicking this link below:

Free school meals (wiltshire.gov.uk)