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. The current criteria for claiming free school meals are as follows: 

• Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based). 
• 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 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. 

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. 

Students who are entitled to a free school meal should collect the appropriate form from reception or online via Leicestershire County Council. It is the responsibility of parents to claim for free school meals. The school does not deal with free school meal claims. You will therefore need to ensure that your application is made and your entitlement assured before the start of the school year. Late applications will mean that your daughter will not be able to receive a free school meal until the Local Authority have processed and authorised your claim.