Your child will get free school meals if you receive the following support payments:
- Income Support (IS)
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- An income-related employment and support allowance
- The guarantee element of State Pension Credit (PCGC) support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by Inland Revenue that does not exceed £16,190
Who can't apply for free school meals
You cannot apply for free school meals if:
- you get Universal Credit and earn more than £616.66 per month (gross). The income assessment takes your last three months of earnings into consideration when making the decision. If you drop below this threshold at a later date, you will be able to claim free school meals again
- you have claimed Universal Credit and are waiting the outcome of your claim. A decision on your entitlement has to be made first
- you get Working Tax Credit
If you are already receiving free school meals at the school your child attends, you will continue to receive free school meals for the child until they leave their current phase of education