Is Your Child Eligible for Free School Meals?
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For children in years three and above, free school meals are not provided automatically. They can be awarded if as a family, you receive any of the following benefits: -
• Income support
• Job seeker's allowance (income-based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
• support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child tax credit - providing you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your family's annual income (as assessed by HMRC) is not more than £16,190 (as of 6th April 2012)
• Working tax credit 'run-on' - the payment you may receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
• Universal Credit (provided 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)
Free school meal applications for all primary schools are managed by Wiltshire Council. However, a small number of secondary schools manage their own applications and will advise parents on their process. These schools are: -
• Bishop Wordsorth's Grammar School
• Bradon Forest School
• Salisbury 6th Form College
• South Wilts Grammar School for Girls
• St John's School Marlborough
Registering for free school meals is confidential, no one will know a family has registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming. Families can [apply online], or by printing and returning the form on [the Wiltshire Council website].
All infant school children, (those in Reception, Year One and Year Two) have been automatically entitled to free school meals since September 2014, you only need to register if your child is in Year Three or above.
The WPCC recommends that all families who meet eligibility for free school meals register their children regardless of their age as this will ensure that their schools receive Pupil Premium. Pupil Premium is extra money for schools to help disadvantaged pupils of all abilities achieve their full potential. Another benefit of registering children for free school meals is to enable children to access the [Wiltshire FUEL Holiday Activity and Food Scheme].
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