Free School Meals in the Dining Area

Research suggests that up to 40% of children entitled to free school meals do not take free meals due to embarrassment or stigma. Parents and carers should be aware that free school meals have changed a lot in recent year.

We operate a cashless catering system in school. Students entitled to free school meals have their allowance added to their account each school day just before lunchtime.

Parents of student who pay for their school meals add money to their account using ParentPay.  All students pay for their lunch at the till in the same way. There is no way of knowing who is entitled to free school meals unless students share that information with each other.

Some important things to know about free school meals allowance:

  • We base our school menus around the daily allowance so students will always be able to purchase a full meal with their allowance.
  • It is a daily entitlement, so cannot be rolled over if it is not used.
  • It is only available at lunchtime.

A significant part of school funding is based on the number of students eligible for free school meals so taking up your entitlement will not only help your child, it will also help school.

ALL INFORMATION GIVEN HERE AND HOW TO APPLY IS TAKEN FROM STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL WEBSITE.

Please note that the government have made changes to the entitlement criteria for new free school meal applications from 1 April 2018.

The entitlement criteria from 1 April 2018 is –

  • Income Support
  • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Eligible for Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and the household income (as used by HMRC to assess tax credits) is not more that £16,190. Please note: anyone eligible for Working Tax Credit, or if you have a partner and they receive it, regardless of Income, you will not qualify
  • The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • In receipt of the 4 week run on of working tax credit (this is where someone becomes unemployed or reduces their hours and so is no longer entitled to working tax credit but will continue to receive it for a further 4 weeks and is entitled to free meals during that time)
  • Universal credit (provided you have an annual net earned household income of no more than £7,400 as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods). Your net earned income is your household income after taxes and deductions and does not include income from Universal Credit or any other benefits you may receive.

If a child is already registered for and receiving free school meals you do not need to make a new claim as a result of this change. In fact, any pupil who has a live free school meal as at 1 April 2018 under the old criteria, or makes a successful new claim after 1 April 2018 under the new criteria will keep their free school meals until the government have completed their roll out of universal credit (expected to be March 2022), even if you no longer meet the entitlement criteria. At March 2022 if the pupil is still a school they will then keep their free school meals until they move to the next phase of education. We will write to parents at that time to advise them what to do. 

However, because of the changes it does mean that whilst one child may be entitled under the old criteria and their free school are being protected, an application for another child after the 1 April may be refused. This could mean that one child will receive free school meals and the other won’t.  If you are unsure please contact the free school meals team.

To prevent a delay in your claim, please don’t apply before either:

  • Your eligibility to working tax credit has ended but you are still receiving child tax credit and have a household income (as used by HMRC to assess tax credits) of less than £16,190, or receive one of the qualifying benefits listed above or;
  • Your claim for a qualifying benefit has been accepted and the start date for the benefit has passed or;
  • You have received your benefit or tax award notice showing that you meet the eligibility criteria
  • your entitlement to Universal Credit has been confirmed

Please note we are unable to backdate a claim for entitlement to free school meals to cover unpaid money or refund money paid prior to the start date of a successful application.

Please note that children being fostered are not normally eligible to claim free school meals as the fostering allowance paid is intended to cover the cost of the provision of meals for the child.

If your child has a finalised Education, Health and Care Plan and is registered as a pupil at a special school they can receive free school meals at nursery age – if you are not sure if have a finalised plan or if they are registered at the school (and not at some other nursery provision on site) please check with the school before making your application for free school meals.

Apply online

www.staffordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals