For every child that is entitled to free school meals, school receives extra funding to enhance provision and improve progress and outcomes for children. If you are eligible, please consider applying, even if you do not wish to take up your free school meal.

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

• 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 - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Check to see if your child is eligible using the confidential online portal available on the Gloucestershire County Council’s website (below).