Do I qualify for free school meals?

Free School Meals is a benefit awarded in respect of children under the age of 19 where the parent or carer is in receipt of one of the benefits below:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
• Child Tax Credit - (*provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,040 (as assessed by H.M. Revenue and Customs). Please note the annual income limit increases from the 6 April 2010 to £16,190.
• the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit, or
• a letter of support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

*Working Tax Credit is available to employees and self-employed people from H.M. Revenue and Customs and provides extra financial support for parents who have children. This means you will not qualify for free school meals if you receive it.

Note: From 1 May 2009 where a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment stops, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children will be entitled to free school meals.

By Law no other category of benefit payment or combination of Tax Credits qualify for free school meals. Similarly, there are no other circumstances that can legally justify the provision of a free school meal.

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