We are aware that more families will now qualify for Free School Meals but may well be at a loss on how to do it.
You can qualify for Free School Meals if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
* income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
* income-related Employment and Support Allowance
* support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
* the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Full details on these criteria can be seen here.
The application process has to be made through Staffordshire County Council but it is online and is relatively straight-forward.
The online application process can be seen here.
If you need any guidance on how to complete this online form simply call us on 01543 267 400 and we will talk you through it.
The payments are put straight onto a child’s Parent Pay account so that they can ‘pay’ for their free meal in the same way as every other child.
Matt Allman, Headteacher, said: “We would urge all parents who qualify for this scheme to apply as not only does it provide a free daily meal, but is also opens us up to funding which means we can help your child in other ways. The scheme very much benefits both their diet and their education.”
