If you are in receipt of certain benefits your child may be entitled to free school meals, saving you up to £450 per year per child. This scheme is available for school-age children and to post-16 students at a school with a sixth form or college.

Did you know?

• Families who are currently paying for school meals will save around £450 a year for each primary school child if they are entitled to free school meals.
• Many schools have systems which mean it is impossible for other pupils to know who is receiving free school meals.
• School children who are eligible for free school meals are entitled to a two-course meal worth approximately £2.30 for primary and £2.35 for secondary each day. 
• When you apply for free school meals, you will also allow your child's school to receive Pupil Premium, which is extra money to support children from families on lower incomes.
• If your child is in receipt of universal infant free school meals (where your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2), we recommend you apply if you believe you may be eligible for free school meals, because the protection will continue beyond Year 2.
• Secondary school children who are entitled to free school meals might also qualify for help with school transport costs.
• If you also have a 3 or 4 year old child who is in a free childcare place, they may also be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium.

Eligibility

Your child will get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit - but no element of Working Tax Credit - and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)) that does not exceed £16,190
• If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit during the four week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work less hours per week
• Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (as from 1 April 2018)

Apply for free school meals

Apply for free school meals

Making an application is quick and simple to do using the online application form, link above at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals selecting “no” when asked if you have had a previous claim. 

If you do not have Internet access you can give the Team a call on 01223 703200, and they can send you a form to complete by post or one is attached below. Paper forms should be returned to;

Education Welfare Benefits Team, (Free School Meals)

Cambridgeshire County Council

OCT 1222

Shire Hall

Cambridge

CB3 0AP

All applications are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Registering for free meals could also raise an extra £1,320 for our school to fund valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff or after school activities. This additional money is available from central government for every child whose parent is receiving one of the benefits listed above.

Universal Free School Meals

From September 2014 all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal.