Free School Meals
From April 2018 the criteria used to determine free school meals entitlement has changed to reflect the introduction of Universal Credit and the phasing out of other benefits.
Your child, even though they are in the Sixth Form, is still entitled to receive Free School Meals (FSM) if certain criteria are met.
Your child could get a free school meal if you receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit, provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
My child was on FSM in Year 11, why do I have to apply again?
The local education authority need to check eligibility each year (as personal circumstances change) and entitlement is not automatic even if you were approved last year. Each successful FSM application only lasts for the current school year and must be applied for no earlier than three months in advance of the coming school year so please apply now.
How do I apply?
Please click on the link below which will direct you to the local education authority website. This process should take no longer than five minutes but your National Insurance number may be required to apply so please have that to hand before you apply.
If you need any further information, please speak to Mr K Jones, Finance Manager jonesk@haileyburyturnford.com or the local authority. You can also visit the free school meal website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
If you do not meet the criteria for FSM above but need financial help for your child’s education, all students in the Sixth Form who come from households where income is lower than £25,000 may be entitled to financial support from the Government’s Bursary Fund.
