Apply for free school meals and uniform grants
Free school meals
If your child attends a state school and you are currently getting one of the following benefits, you will be able to claim free school meals.
- Income Support (IS)
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSAIB) (If you receive contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance you will not qualify.)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) provided you do not receive Working Tax Credit and that your annual income (as assessed by her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) does not exceed £16,190.
- Guaranteed Pension Credit (GPC)
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit 'run on' - payment you receive for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Young people who receive Income Support (IS) or Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA) in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals at sixth form.
(NB: Children who attend a further education or tertiary college will need to contact them directly to request assistance.)
The Government does not allow us to recognise any other benefit other than those mentioned.
Guide to free school meals [124kb]
School uniform grant
If you are getting one of the above benefits you can also get a grant to help with the cost of a school uniform. The grant is a one off payment of £80.00 which can be paid by cheque or directly into your bank or building society account.
Guide to the school uniform grant [64kb]
How to claim
To claim for free school meals or the uniform grant do one of the following:
- Apply online anytime
- Download an application form:
- Call in to Shire Hall
- Phone us and we will send you a form by post
When you claim we will check that you are eligible with the Department of Education.
Temporary qualification for free school meals or school uniform grant
You become eligible to claim free school meals:
- where you have been entitled to 'Working Tax Credit' during the four-week period immediately after your employment ceases
You need to apply by completing a hard-copy application form and sending it to us with a copy of your 'Tax Credit Decision Notice'. Free school meals authorisation will not be granted prior to the date of application.
In order to qualify for free school meals after the four week period expires you will need to be getting one of the other qualifying benefits listed above, and we will need to be able to verify that.
Change of circumstances
You must inform us if your circumstances change. For example, if you no longer receive benefits, move house or change school as this may affect your right to claim.
