Some children may be entitled to a free school meal. Children are entitled to free school meals if their families receive:
- income support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- an income-related employment and support allowance
- support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- or the guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
In addition, children are entitled to free school meals if their families receive Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit except for the four week ‘run-on’ period after a parent has become unemployed or reduced their hours to less than 16 per week), and their gross annual income is not over £16,190 (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs).
Nursery-age pupils only qualify for help if they receive education both before and after the lunch period.
You can pick up an application form for free school meals at your youngest child’s school, which can be used for all your children.
Visit the Durham County Council’s Website – Free School Meals information page for further information.