Free School Meals Application

We have had an increase in the number of children eligible for FSM and we are delighted that we are able to support these families through the government supermarket voucher scheme. It was confirmed this week that the scheme will continue through the summer holiday. This means that you will receive food vouchers covering the holiday period.

If your child is in Reception, Years 1 and 2 they are automatically eligible for Universal Infant Free School Meal. However, for them to qualify for Pupil Premium and in order for them to receive the food vouchers, you will need to submit a free school meal application. For children in years 3 and above an application is required and if this is successful you could save up to £400 a year.

The eligibility criteria are:

·  Income Support (IS)

·  Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)

·  Income-related employment and support allowance (IRESA)

·  Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190

·  Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit

·  Where a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment someone receives for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

·  Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

·  Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7400 as assessed by earnings.

If you feel that you may qualify, the application form is available at the following link: 

www.lewisham.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

For further information please refer to the Lewisham website.

If you do not live in Lewisham borough, contact your home borough who will be able to help. The support is there and it is discreet: information is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis and children are never told that they are having free school meals.

Free school meals are part of something called ‘pupil premium’. As well as providing free school meals, pupil premium provides extra funding of up to £1,350 to your child's school. The school can then use this funding to support your child’s education through extra tuition, teaching staff or after-school activities.