Primary schools: School meals are offered free of charge to all primary school learners.
Secondary schools: A full meal is offered free of charge to all learners from families who apply for and are granted the free school meals benefit.
Free school meals are for pupils whose parents/guardians receive one of the following:
- Income Support*
- Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance*
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- State Pension Credit Guarantee Element
- Employment Support Allowance Income Related*
- Universal Credit with annual net earnings of no more than £7,400*
- Universal Credit with annual net earnings which exceed £7,400 (years 7 and 8 only)
*Pupils who receive Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance Income Related or Universal Credit with annual net earnings limit of £7,400 in their own right are also eligible
If you were in receipt of a free school meal for one of your children from being in receipt of one of the above until 31 December 2023 you will continue to receive entitlement for that child until the end of their current phase of education i.e. primary or secondary phase (inclusive of 6th form), even if your circumstances change. You will however need to inform us if your child leaves or changes school before this date.
However if you are awarded a free school meal for your child/children from 1 January 2024 onwards because you were in receipt of one of the above, you will need to inform the Benefit Office if your circumstances change, as your free school meal entitlement for your children will cease.
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.
Applications
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.
- Postal address: Revenue and Benefits Assessment Service, PO Box 1, Colwyn Bay, LL29 0GG
- Visiting address: Coed Pella, Conway Road, Colwyn Bay, LL29 7AZ