Free School Meals

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Since 2014, all infant aged children are entitled to a free school meal.

Parents do not have to apply for the free meals, but it does help our school budget if parents who think they may meet the criteria for free meals for older children still completed an application form for free meals. A proportion of our budget is allocated based on the percentage of children eligible for free school meals.

Do I qualify for Benefits Related Free School Meals?

Your child qualifies for free school meals and the Pupil Premium if you are getting one of the following support payments:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit, unless you are entitled to Working Tax Credit, and you have an annual income as assessed by HMRC that does not exceed £16,105
• Guarantee credit element of State Pension Credit

Young people over 16 years old who are still at school are entitled to free school meals if they get Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in their own right.

Children must be in education before and after lunch to qualify for free school meals.

How do I claim Free Schools Meals for my child?

If your child qualifies for free school meals, download and complete the Free School Meal Application Form, and send it back to Derby City Council, at the address on the form.