Your child(ren) will be entitled to free school meals if you as the parent are in receipt of any of the following benefits:
- Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit (but NOT receiving Working Tax Credit) – provided your annual income, assessed by the Inland Revenue, does not exceed £16,190 (Please note: this amount is subject to change in April every year)
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
If you meet the criteria and would like make an application please complete our online free school meals application form (opens in new window).
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If you receive any of the following benefits, free school meals are available for your child(ren):
- Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit (but NOT receiving Working Tax Credit) – provided your annual income, assessed by the Inland Revenue, does not exceed £16,190 (Please note: this amount is subject to change in April every year)
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Entitlement to free school meals is kept as confidential as possible. Many schools now have systems in place such as swipe cards or fingerprint identification systems, which do not identify to other pupils the fact that a child is receiving a free school meal.
The free school meal will remain in place for as long as your child continues to attend an East Riding of Yorkshire school and you continue to be entitled to one of the above qualifying benefits.
Remember - you must contact East Riding of Yorkshire Council's benefit section if your circumstances change and you are no longer in receipt of one of the listed benefits.Top of page
There are several methods of applying for free school meals which are shown below:
1) If you meet the criteria and would like make an application please complete our online free school meals application form (opens in new window).
2) You can also telephone the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Benefit section on (01482) 394799.
They will need the following information:
- Your Name
- Your Date of birth
- National Insurance Number (or registered asylum seekers number)
- Child's details – Name, date of birth and school
The benefits section will make automated checks to confirm your entitlement and tell you immediately if you qualify.
3) You can visit any East Riding of Yorkshire customer service centre for an application form.
Forms are also available to download at the Council's Free School Meals document download page.
Send the completed form to the benefits section at the following address:
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Benefits Section
PO Box 12
County Hall
Beverley
HU17 9BA
(01482) 394799
or return the completed form to your local customer service centre or your child's school.
3) Obtain an application form from your child’s school, complete it and return using one of the above methods.
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Children can receive free school meals if they are under 19 years old, in full-time education and attending a school with a sixth form.Top of page
If we are able to confirm your award, applications are usually processed the same day. If your child(ren) is entitled to free school meals you will receive a letter confirming the date when the meals will start.
The claims process has been streamlined, so the time from applying to receiving free school meals has been reduced from 30 days to within 5 days.
If you are struggling financially or would like further information on benefits, then please contact our Benefit and Money Advice Service on 0800 915 0381 or email benefit.takeup@eastriding.gov.uk
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Yes, the school is notified using our system, you will receive written notification with a start date. Should your circumstances change, meaning that your child is no longer eligible, you will be sent a letter with an end date and the school will be notified automatically.Top of page
All East Riding of Yorkshire schools provide meals that meet the government's guidelines in nutritional standards. All menus are nutritionally analysed and approved, with fresh meat, vegetables and fruit sourced locally wherever possible.
The fat used in baking does not contain hydrogenated fats and all food is prepared and freshly cooked each day. Therefore your child will receive a healthy, nutritional free meal at school.
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Children do not receive cash; the school will provide a free school meal. The allocation is a fixed amount to align with the "meal deal" in secondary schools and the two course school lunch in primary schools.Top of page
No. Free school meals are awarded from the date a claim is made, once eligibility is checked and verified.
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No. Free school meals eligibility will be ended from the date that you inform benefits that your circumstances have changed. It is not backdated, however, you do have a legal duty to inform benefits as soon as your circumstances change.
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