Free school meals

It is the duty of the Local Education Authority (LEA) to provide a meal for those pupils who are eligible for free school meals. Schools and some colleges also offer this facility to students who are receiving a support payment in their own right, up to the age of 20 years.

1. Do I qualify for free school meals?

You will qualify for free school meals if you or your partner are receiving:

Income Support (IS)
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA(IB))
Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA (IR))
Child Tax Credit (CTC), provided you do not also receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by the Inland Revenue, that does not exceed £16,190
Guarantee Credit element of State Pension Credit
Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

2. How can I apply for free school meals

You can apply online quickly and simply by clicking on apply online link below.

Apply for free school meals online here.

Or you could get a free school meals application form from:

your child(ren)’s school
the Benefits Service at the First Stop Shop, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1XU – by calling in person or telephoning us on 0845 111 2855
Download and print an application form for free school meals (PDF 411KB)

3. What do I do if my benefit stops?

You must tell the council’s benefit service immediately if the benefit or support payment which entitles you to free school meals stops.

If your benefit or support payment stops due to a change from one qualifying payment to another tell us straightaway as we may be able to award free school meals on a temporary basis until you can provide details of your new circumstances.

4. How long will my child get free school meals?

Free school meals are awarded for the period of your qualifying benefit or support payment. It is important therefore that you tell us if your circumstances change.

5. What evidence do I need to provide?

If you receive either Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) or Child Tax Credit We are able to check your entitlement to these benefits. You do not need to supply us with any evidence of them.

Please note: you will not qualify for free school meals if:

you have a gross yearly income in excess of £16,190 This figure excludes your child tax credits and child benefit, or
you or your partner receive Working Tax Credit - this is a disqualifying benefit.

If you are an Asylum Seeker We are able to check your entitlement. You do not need to supply any further evidence.

6. Why should I apply for free school meals if I do not wish my child/children to receive them?

We would like to ask you to consider registering your child/children as eligible for free school meals, whether or not you intend to take up the option of them actually having a free school meal. This is because a great deal of the funding that comes from the Government for schools in Walsall is based on the numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals. So by registering for free school meals you will be helping the funding of your child’s school.

7. Why have my free school meals been cancelled?

If you no longer qualify for free school meals because you no longer receive a qualifying benefit we will write to you to tell you.

There may be other reasons why free school meals have been cancelled, if you are in any doubt at all please contact the Benefits Service.

8. How do I contact the Benefits Service?

Please contact us either at:

Benefits Service
Walsall Council
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 1XU

Telephone 0845 111 2855
Email benefitsservice@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 19 January 2012