There are two different types of Free School Meals:

Universal Free School Meals

Every child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 is entitled to a Universal Free School Meal. You do not need to apply for this. Once your child is in Year 3, they will no longer receive a Free School Meal.

Benefits-related Free School Meals

If you or your partner receive any of the qualifying benefits listed below, you can apply for benefits-related Free School Meals. Your child will then continue to receive a Free School Meal in Key Stage 2 (Year 3 – Year 6). If you are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals, school will also receive extra funding for your  child’s education, so it is really important that you apply. This funding is called Pupil Premium.

Qualifying benefits

If you or your partner receive any of the following benefits, 

• Universal Credit – your household earned annual income must be less than £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits
• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income related Employment Support Allowance
• Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed part of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit – with no Working Tax Credit and your annual household income is no more than £16,190, as assessed by the Inland Revenue

If you have any questions or require any support in applying to Knowlsey for free school meals, please contact Jess Harris in our school office 0151 477 8250  stgabrielsoffice@remat.org.uk