Free School Meals
Please see below for an explanation of how free school meals work, and for information on how to apply for free school meals.
Universal free school meals
All pupils in reception, year one, and year two are entitled to a free meal, without having to apply for this option.
Eligibility for free school meals
The government has made amendments to the eligibility criteria since April 2018. This is to reflect the introduction of Universal Credit.
PLEASE NOTE: Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Provided you have an annual net income of no more than £7,400
- This is assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run on
- Paid four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
What do the changes to free school meals mean?
Most people won’t be affected by the new criteria. If you’re currently claiming free school meals, but don’t meet the new criteria, your child will continue to receive free school meals until the end of the Universal Credit roll-out period.
The roll-out period isn’t scheduled to end until 2024. Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meals entitlement until the end of their current phase of education, i.e primary to secondary.
Claim free school meals
Online:
Telephone:
- 0345 6006400
Paper applications can be returned upon completion to:
Free School Meals Office
Northumberland County Council
Wansbeck Square
Ashington
NE63 9XL
Revenues and Benefits
Benefit details for applications can be checked on receipt. However, if confirmation cannot be found, you will be contacted to provide proof of benefit.
Click here to view the Revenues and Benefits Privacy Notice.
The information you provide will be used to check if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.