Who can get free school meals?
You can claim free school meals for your children if you are eligible for or in receipt of any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – all households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to free school meals. (Note: If your annual net household income is £7,400 or less before benefits, your child’s school also receives extra Pupil Premium funding and access to holiday food programs).
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
How to apply You should complete the application online, filling in the names of all the children you want to claim for. You only need to complete one application even if your children go to different schools. Apply online via Staffordshire County Council’s Free School Meals portal.
Once your online application is submitted, the local authority or school will verify your entitlement automatically and notify the school so your child can start receiving meals.
Apply by post If you are unable to apply online, please ask us or the local authority for a paper application form and return it to: Free School Meals Staffordshire County Council, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH
Proof of benefit Staffordshire County Council doesn’t usually need to see paper proof of which benefit you receive. They will check your entitlement using the Department for Education’s automated Eligibility Checking System. For this check to take place, you must ensure you provide your National Insurance number (or National Asylum Support Service number) and your date of birth on the form. Note: by submitting the form you agree to Staffordshire County Council checking this service. If the automated check cannot confirm your entitlement, you may be asked to provide recent official documentation from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
How to apply
You should complete this form, filling in the names of all the children you want to claim for. You only need to fill in one form even if your children go to different schools. Apply online for free school meals
After completing the application form you can print a copy of the confirmation page to give to us for meals to start immediately. If you are unable to print you can still make your application online, but will need to wait for the school to be informed by the LA before you can start to receive the free school meals.
Apply by post
Please ask us or the LA for the form and then send the completed form to:
Free School Meals
Staffordshire County Council,
Tipping Street,
Stafford,
ST16 2DH,
Proof of benefit
Staffordshire County Council doesn’t always need to see proof of which benefit you are on to process your application. They can check to see if you are entitled by using the National Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service. For this to be used and to process your claim quickly, you must ensure you include your National Insurance number and own date of birth on the form. Note: by signing the form you are agreeing for Staffordshire County Council to check this service. If the check shows that you are not entitled you will be asked for recent, written proof of benefit. Suitable written proof includes an Income Support book or a recent letter from the Benefits Agency giving details of the claim, your Pension Credit M1000 Award Notice or, in the case of Child Tax Credit, a form from the Inland Revenue detailing your entitlement.
Further Information
If you would like any further information please contact Staffordshire County Council:
Email: freeschoolmeals@staffordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 111 8007