Free School Meals - Extra funding for schools

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We want to make sure that we are providing your child with the best education and support we can. Healthy school food has obvious health benefits and can help pupils establish healthy habits for life. Healthy school food can also help to improve pupils’ readiness to learn. 

Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and currently receives a free meal under the universal scheme, please check on line to see if you are eligible for a traditional free school meal as this would help secure additonal funding for school.  

Registering for free meals could also raise an extra £1,320 for your school to fund valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff or after school activities.

This additional money is available from central government for every child whose parent is receiving one of the benefits listed above.

Families who receive certain benefits may be eligible for free school meals.  Your child is eligible for free school meals if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit)

To check if your child is eligible please visit the HBC website - 

https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/EducationandFamilies/Schools/FreeSchoolMeals.aspx