Free School Meals

Children are entitled to free school meals if their families receive Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, an income-related employment and support allowance (wef 27 October, 2008), Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Assylum Act 1999 or the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit. In addition children are entitled if their families receive Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) - and their gross annual income is not over £15,575 (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs). Nursery age pupils only qualify for help if they receive education both before and after the lunch period.

Please note that you can call in at the school of your youngest child to complete an application form for Free School Meals for all of your children, or you can print and complete a copy of the form below, but you will also need to take to the school your Income Support Book, Pension Credit M1000 Award Notice, proof of Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Assylum Act 1999, the letter of award from the Benefits Agency that shows who is entitled to Income Support/Income-based Jobseekers Allowance or your Tax Credit Award Notice.

Call Catherine Jones on 0191 3834551 for more information.

Application Form for Free School Meals

You can download the application form for free school meals below:

fsm1.pdf (2 pages, 13kb)

Renewal of Free School Meals Form

Download the Renewal of Free School Meals Form below:

Free School Meal Renewal (1 page, 9kb)

Child Tax Credit

Anyone who is responsible for a child or children under the age of 16 can make an application for Child Tax Credit. Couples must make a joint claim, but Child Tax Credit is paid to the child's main carer. If you are in receipt of Income Support/Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance you will receive the maximum Child Tax Credit. You do not have to be working to claim Child Tax Credit. It can be paid along with Working Tax Credit. Child Tax Credit replaces the amounts paid for children in most benefits, but does not replace child benefit. To make an application you can request a form from the Tax Credits helpline on 0845 3003900 (Textphone 0845 3003909).

For advice about tax credits or benefits please contact Welfare Rights.

We can provide this information in different formats and languages on request. Please call 0191 3740506.