Free School Meals
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Free school meals will be offered to learners in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 from 1 September 2022 as part of the Welsh Government roll out of the Universal Primary School Free School Meal.
If you are on low income it is important for you to make an application for Free School Meals for your children regardless of the universal provision because the Free School Meal Benefit eligibility makes other benefits available to you and increases the funding for your child’s school.
Free School Meal Holiday Allowance Payments
The holiday provision in lieu of Free School Meals for eligible pupils was due to cease at the end of summer 2022. In light of the cost-of-living crisis, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, in agreement and with continued partnership working with Plaid Cymru, has decided to extend the provision until the end of the current financial year. This will include provision for the Autumn half term week, the two-week Christmas holiday, as well as the Spring half term (it will not cover Easter holidays as they fall in the next financial year).
Please note that this provision relates to learners eligible for Free School Meals (defined under section 512ZB of the Education Act 1996). This does not include the wider cohort of additional learners that are now receiving Universal Primary Free School Meals.
Free School Meals are for pupils attending Conwy County Borough Council schools whose parents/guardians receive one of the following:
- Income Support*
- Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance*
- Child Tax Credit provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual household income, as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs that does not exceed £16,190
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- State Pension Credit Guarantee Element
- Employment Support Allowance Income Related*
- Working Tax Credit ‘run on’ - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit with annual net earnings of no more than £7400.
(*Pupils who receive Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance Income Related or Universal Credit with annual net earnings limit of £7400 in their own right are also eligible)
If you currently receive a free school for one of your children from being in receipt of Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance Income Based, Employment Support Allowance Income Related, Guaranteed Pension Credit, you will continue to receive entitlement for that child until December, 2023, even if your circumstances change. You will however need to inform us if your child leaves or changes school before this date.
If your child/children are already in receipt of Free School Meals there is no requirement to complete an application form each year, unless there has been a change in your circumstances.
How to apply
Revenue and Benefits Assessment Services,
PO Box 1,
Conwy,
LL30 9GN
If you require a paper form, or any help in completing the form; or have any other questions, you can contact the Benefit Team on telephone number 01492 576491.