As a parent of a pupil at Anson Primary School, if you receive benefits, your child will be eligible for free school meals.

The qualifying benefits are:

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods) 
• 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 guarantee 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

The following benefits do not qualify for claiming free school meals:

• Contribution-based Job Seeker's Allowance
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
• If you (or a partner) are also awarded Working Tax Credit regardless of your family's income
• Incapacity benefit and DLA.

The school, or the local authorities, do not set the qualifying criteria for free school meals and we are unable to waive them. If you apply, both the school and local authority will ask for proof of child benefit if this is your first application for free school meals. Eligibility for free school meals will not be backdated, so ensure you apply as soon as possible.

If you meet the criteria you can apply by:

• Completing an online application
• Downloading the free school meals application form (postal)
• Collect a form from the school office (bring your National Insurance Number or National Asylum Support Service Reference Number with you and any evidence of your benefit)

Please note that when you apply, providing the Local Authority with an email address or mobile number (or both) will help to ensure they can regularly inform and update you on the progress of your application. If you think you are eligible please apply as soon as possible to avoid delay.