Eligibility for entitled Free School Meals

In April 2018, the Department for Education introduced a new criterion for free school meal eligibility during the period of the Universal Credit roll out to ensure that no child would lose their eligibility to free school meals. These protections were enacted in our Commencement Order with the end date of March 2022, the date the rollout was then due to end. This is to inform you that the end date has since moved to March 2023, which will be reviewed by the DfE nearer the time.

Any child gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period until March 2023. After this date any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary).

As a reminder, the current benefits which attract Free School Meals are:

• Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400.
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190

How to apply

Parents are encouraged to apply on line. Information and a link to the on line application service is provided at www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/school-meals-and-milk

Alternatively, an application form can be issued to those who prefer not to use the on line service.

Thank you for completing the form – it ensures our school is as well funded as possible.

Universal Infant Free School Meals:

Since September 2014, schools have been required to provide free lunches to pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and there are no changes to this arrangement. The Free School Meals team will continue to assess Pupil Premium for these pupils.

Even though your child may be in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, please still tell our local authority if you receive any of the above benefits. Our school will receive extra funding if you do.