From September 2014 there will be two free school meal schemes – universal infant free school meals and income-related free school meals.
Universal infant free school meals
If your child attends a state-funded infant school and is in reception class, year 1 or year 2 (key stage 1) they are entitled to free school meals regardless of your income. This could save you almost £400 a year for each child you have in key stage 1.
How to apply
There is no need to complete an application form as you should have received a letter from the school to take up the offer of free school meals. Please contact the school if you have not received this letter.
However, we urge those parents who do receive a qualifying benefit regardless of if they are Infants or not to make a formal application as this will allow the school to claim additional funding (pupil premium) for new equipment and resources. You can do this online in the section below.
Income-related free school meals
Schools and local authority nurseries
If you live in Liverpool and receive any of the following you can claim free school meals for your school-aged child. This is also applicable to nursery-aged children if they attend before and after lunch sessions at a local authority nursery school or nursery class:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-relayed Employment Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State 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’re receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support there is no need to complete this form – just contact Liverpool City Council and they will update your details to include free school meals
How to claim
The application process below is for Liverpool City Council area residents only. If you live outside of the Liverpool City Council area please contact your own education authority.
This online application form checks whether your child is eligible and gives you an instant answer.
If you already receive free school meals and wish to register another child then please contact Liverpool City Council instead of completing the form again.
Note that foster parents already receive funding and are not eligible for free school meals.
Please click on the link to access Liverpool City Councils Free School Meal Page and apply online:
External Link: http://liverpool.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/grants-and-funding/free-school-meals/
How are school meals paid?
If your claim is successful the school will be notified that your child can have free school meals. Schools will ensure that this information is treated with the strictest confidence and handled sensitively.
Change of circumstances
You must inform Liverpool City Council 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.
The staff in the school office are happy to help out if you have any difficulty with the mechanics of making a claim.