Free school meals

From September 2014, the Government introduced that all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils will be eligible for Free School meals. Pupils who are in Year 3 and above and attend school, will be entitled only if they are in receipt of the following benefits:

• Income Support; (or Guaranteed Pension Credit for over 60 years) 
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Child Tax Credit, (but not Working Tax Credit) and who have a yearly taxable income of less that of £16,190 
• An Income Related Employment & Support Allowance 
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If you think you are eligible, please use the following forms to apply.

Apply for free school meals online

Alternatively, download and complete the Free School Meals Application Form (PDF)

Pupil premium

If you are eligible for free schools meals and apply for them, school is given additional funding. 

In 2014-15 financial year this will be: 

• £1,300 per pupil of primary-school age
• £935 per pupil of secondary-school age
• £1,900 per pupil for looked-after children who have been looked after for 1 day or more; are adopted; leave care under a Special Guardianship Order or a Residence Order

This money is used to help provide additional resources for your children. 

Eligibility checks

During a period of entitlement there may be a change in circumstances and free school meals may be withdrawn. 

The most common reasons include:

• The parent or guardian ceases to receive a qualifying benefit
• The child leaves school
• The family move out of the borough
• The child is absent from school for a long time

Parents are advised to inform the Business Support Unit if their circumstances change. Parents/carers who are found to be no longer eligible will be written to, inviting them to provide additional evidence to prove that they are still entitled to claim Free School Meals. 

Parents/carers will be asked to provide this evidence within three weeks. 

Should you have any queries with this process, please e-mail us at schoollunches@swindon.gov.uk  or call Customer Services at Swindon Direct on 01793 445500.