| Q |
Can you tell me if my child/children can have free school meals? |
| A |
Your child/children can have free school meals if you receive;
- Income support; or
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSAIB); or
- Child Tax Credit without Working Tax Credit and your annual income is less than £15,575 (as assessed by the Inland Revenue), or
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit, or
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999; or from October 2008
- Employment Support Allowance (income related)
Your child must be receiving compulsory education before and after the lunch time period.
Children who attend Nursery Schools, Independent Schools or Colleges that provide specific Post-16 courses are not entitled to receive free school meals.
|
| Q |
How do I apply for free school meals? |
| A |
You must complete an application form, which is available at your child’s school or from the Pupil and Student Support Group. Your application form must be sent with confirmation of your benefit or income to:
Family Services, Pupil and Student Support Group, Room 63, County Hall, Wakefield, WF1 2QL.
|
| Q |
What evidence must I send with my application to confirm my benefit or income? |
| A |
- If you receive Income Support or JSAIB you should either attach a recent benefit letter from the Benefits Agency or Job Centre or take your application to the local Benefits Office or Job Centre to be stamped.
- If you receive Child Tax Credit you must send your most recent Tax Credit Award Notice and documentary evidence of your income.
- If you receive the ‘Guaranteed’ element of State Pension Credit you must submit your Pension credit M100’ award notice.
|
| Q |
How will I know that my child/children can have free school meals? |
| A |
When we receive your application form we will assess whether you are entitled. You will then be sent a letter detailing your entitlement to free school meals.
|
| Q |
How will the school know that my child/children can have free school meals? |
| A |
When we receive your completed application we will contact the school(s) to confirm your entitlement. The school will then receive written confirmation from us once we have sent your letter of entitlement.
|
| Q |
Can my application be backdated? |
| A |
Your child will normally start having free school meals from the date we receive your application form. If you can show us that there are exceptional circumstances to your case, we may be able to backdate your child’s entitlement to free school meals. We will ask you to give us evidence of these circumstances. You will have to make your request in writing.
Note: We would not be able to give you any refund if your only reason for not applying sooner is that you did not know how to apply.
|
| Q |
I am receiving Working Tax Credit. Can my child/children have free school meals? |
| A |
No, you can only receive free school meals if you receive one of the benefits listed earlier.
|
| Q |
How long does my entitlement last and how do I re-apply? |
| A |
Free school meals are given for twelve months. You must then re-apply. In order to process your claim quicker we have three entitlement periods. The time when your claim must be renewed depends on your surname:-
- Surnames A - F Easter to Easter
- Surnames G - O September to July
- Surnames P - Z January to December
We will send you a form towards the end of your twelve month entitlement period, which must be returned to us with proof of your benefit in order that your entitlement to receive free school meals may continue.
|
| Q |
What happens when my circumstances change? |
| A |
You must tell us immediately when your benefits or circumstances change. It is illegal for your child to have free school meals if you do not qualify. You will be asked to repay the cost of meals taken while you are not entitled to free school meals.
|
| Q |
My child is going on a school trip. Who will pay for the lunch? |
| A |
If your child is entitled to receive free school meals the school is responsible for providing your child with a packed lunch to take with him/her.
|
| Q |
My child is going to the Hornsea Centre. What help can I get? |
| A |
Pupils who attend the Hornsea Centre may be able to attend free of charge if you are entitled to receive free school meals for your child.
|
| Q |
Contact us? |
| A |
Please click on the link on the right hand side for contact details.
|
| Q |
Wakefield Families Information Service |
| A |
We provide free information, advice and assistance on childcare and other services that support parents and carers of children and young people up to the age of 20.
We have information on childminding, health, activities, family learning and youth and sport provisions.
Telephone: 0800 587 8042
website: Wakefield Families Information Service
|
