You may be able to claim free school meals for your child if you meet the Government’s eligibility criteria and your child is a full-time student at a school in Wolverhampton.

Who is eligible?

Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• 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 – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018, your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

If your child is eligible for and registered to receive free school meals between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2023, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary / Year 6 or secondary / Year 11) they’re in on 31 March 2023.

Apply for free school meals

If you have a current Free School Meal claim you do not need to reapply or renew your application.

To apply for free school meals, you will need to supply your full name, date of birth and National Insurance or National Asylum Support Service (NASS) reference number. You can download the necessary application form below and return it either by email ([email protected]), post or by returning it in person at the school office.

What happens next?

If you are found eligible for free school meals, we will confirm the arrangements for your child to receive their meals. If you are not found eligible, we will confirm how much and when you will need to pay for your child’s meals.