Are you eligible to claim Free School Meals?
Parents who receive certain benefits are eligible to apply for free school meals for their child.
Eligibility
Children may be able to get free school meals if their parent/carer gets at least one of the following:
- Universal Credit (as long as 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)
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- The Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit
- Support under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit – provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of no more than £16,190
- A ‘run-on’ of Working Tax Credit (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
If you’re currently getting Working Tax Credit, or if you have a partner who is getting Working Tax Credit, regardless of your income, you won’t qualify for free school meals.
Post-16 students
Post-16 students can get free school meals if they attend a sixth form based in Middlesbrough. If your child attends a further education college, they should apply for free meals by contacting the college directly.
Universal infant free school meals
All children in Key Stage One (which includes reception, year one, and year two) are entitled to free school meals. Parents who are on benefits and meet the eligibility criteria above are encouraged to apply for additional funding known as Pupil Premium. This funding will help increase your child’s attainment as well as being used to fund valuable support within the school.
How to claim free school meals
You can claim free school means by:
- downloading and completing the free school meals application form, and sending it to Free School Meals, PO Box 2, Middlesbrough, TS1 2YL
- visiting your child’s school and completing an application form, which the school will then fax to the free school meals office
- visiting the free school meals office, which is located in the Customer Centre at Middlesbrough House
What happens next
Once your claim has been assessed, a letter will be sent to let you know the outcome. If you qualify for free school meals, we’ll tell your child’s school.
Contact us
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01642 726541
Post:
Free School Meals
PO Box 2
Middlesbrough
TS1 2YL
Please click here visit the Middlesbrough Council Website
Application form – Benefits-free_school_meals_application
