Do I qualify to claim free school meals? Families of children and young people in full-time education at any school maintained by Leicestershire County Council may be entitled to claim free school meals, providing they receive a qualifying benefit.
Qualifying benefits
The current criteria for claiming free school meals are as follows:
• Income Support (IS)
• Employment and Support Allowance (Income Based)
* Child Tax Credit, provided the annual taxable income, as assessed by the Inland revenue is not in excess of £16,190. Families who also receive an award of Working Tax Credit do not qualify to claim for free school meals.
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Children who receive Income Support (IS) or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.
TEMPORARY qualification for free school meals:
From 1st May 2009 where a parent has been entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, they will be eligible to claim free school meals over that period.
Claimants MUST complete a hard copy application form and send it to us with a copy of their Tax Credit Decision Notice which will be issued immediately by HMRC to a claimant who has notified them that they have stopped working. Applications will not be accepted without this document and free school meals authorisation will not be granted prior to the date of application, or extended beyond the end date shown on the Tax Credit Decision Notice. In order to qualify for free school meals after that date the claimant will need to be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits listed above and evidence of this provided.
• You can download the Free School Meals Application Form (Word doc, 240kb)
• Request an application form on 0116 3056588 or 0116 3057093
• Apply via telephone on 0116 3056588 or 0116 3057093
• Our postal address is: School Food Support Service, Free School Meals, Unit 14, The Courtyard Whitwick Business Park, Stenson Road, Coaville, LE67 4JP.
