Free school meals are available to children whose parents or guardians can prove that they are currently receiving one of the following benefits:

• Child Tax Credit - where total annual income is also less than £16,190 as per TC602 Form
• Income Support (with responsibility for children)
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (with responsibility for children)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Pupils who receive Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance in their own right are also eligible to receive Free School meals.
• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA(IR)).

Am I eligible if I'm claiming Working Tax Credits (With income less than £16,190)

No, but you can apply if you wish in case anything changes in long term. As soon as you become no longer eligible for WTC you must inform the Inland Revenue and maybe Free School Meals can start depending on your individual circumstances.

To support your application you will need to provide one of the following as evidence:

• A copy of the page called "How your Income Support/Job Seeker's Allowance is worked out" from a recent letter. If you do not have this, please contact your local Benefits Agency.
• Your Current Tax Award Notice. If you do not have this, contact the Inland Revenue Helpline on Tel: 0845 300 3900
• A copy of the Pension Credit Award notice (M1000) or Child Tax Credit Notice (TC602)
• Asylum seekers need the NASS Reference Number to confirm entitlement

You can download this information about free school meals here.

Applying for free school meals

If you would like to claim free school meals for your family you must complete an application form which is available to download below:

Application form for free school meals

Change of circumstances

If you are claiming free school meals and there is a change in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement, it is important that you tell us about it immediately. This could mean that we are not paying you enough or we are paying you more than your entitlement.
You can report any changes in your circumstances in one of two ways:

• Tel: 01443 863093

• Write to:

Free School Meals Officer
Penallta House
Tredomen Park
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed. CF82 7PG