Free School Meals

Are you missing out on Free School Meals

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals, regardless of their parents’ income. However, you may still be entitled to Income Related Free School Meals, which will continue to support you child during the rest of their education years. It is in yours and your child’s best interest to apply now!

If you are the parent, foster parent, network family carer or guardian of children at school and you are on a low income, you could get Free School Meals. Young people who are still at school but receive Income Support in their own right can also receive Free School Meals.

We want to ensure that we are providing your child with the best education and support possible. A healthy meal has obvious health benefits and can help students establish healthy habits for life and can also improve pupils’ readiness to learn.

Your child could be entitled to Free School Meals if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190, provided they are not receiving Working Tax Credit
• The ‘Guaranteed’ element of the State Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• 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)

On the 1st April 2018 the Transitional Protection rules came into effect which states that whilst Universal Credit is being rolled out to families in Leeds, once your child has a Free School Meals award in place, they will now keep it right through until they leave Education. This will apply even if your earnings rise above the new threshold or if you stop being entitled to Universal Credit. However if your or your partner also receive any Working Tax Credit as well, you won’t qualify for Free School Meals, so please wait until this benefit has stopped before you apply.

By making a claim for free meals you could also raise an extra £985 for our school, to fund valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff or after school activities. This additional money is called Pupil Premium and is available from central government for every child who has a Free School Meals award in place.

If you are currently claiming for support with your rent or Council Tax, Leeds City Council will already hold your details and your children will automatically be considered for Free School Meals without you having to fill in any further benefit application forms. This includes children who are changing schools.

If you do not have a current claim, we encourage you to apply for Free School Meals. Please complete the below form or visit the Council’s website and follow this link: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/schools-and-education/apply-for-free-school-meals

Alternatively, if you would like help to complete the form, please contact us on 0113 284 4260.