Lunch

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

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• 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 - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

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Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

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• younger than the compulsory age for starting school

• in full-time education

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2022.

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Infant free school meals in England

Your child will be able to get free school meals if they are in a government-funded school and in:

• Reception class

• Year 1

• Year 2

Tell your local authority if you also get any of the qualifying benefits. Your child’s school can get extra funding if you do.