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• DCSF (formerly DfES) Parent Centre – school meals

Free school meals

Who is eligible?

Free school meals are not provided automatically. You will be eligible for help if you fall into one of the following six categories:

• you receive Income Support
• you receive Job Seeker’s Allowance (income-based)
• you receive Employment Support Allowance (income-related)
• you are entitled to Child Tax Credit, you do not get Working Tax Credit and your family's annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) is not more than £15,575. Anyone receiving Working Tax Credit is not entitled to free school meals regardless of their income.
• you get support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• you receive the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit.

How do I apply?

Complete the following form and return it to the Admissions and Transport team:

• Form – apply for free school meals

You can also apply by asking for a free school meals form (FM1) from your child's school and returning the completed form to them. You will need to show up-to-date proof that you are entitled to make a claim.

Claims for free school meals are reviewed every six months. Child Tax Credit and Pension Credit claims are reviewed annually.You are required to complete a new form and show new evidence that you are still eligible to claim for free school meals.

If your child goes to school in East Sussex, you must apply to East Sussex for free school meals, even if you live outside the county. The Children's Services Authority (CSA) where your child attends school is responsible for the provision of free school meals. If you live in East Sussex but your child goes to school outside the county, you will need to speak to the school to find out who will deal with your claim.

Part time pupils

Part time pupils are not entitled to free school meals. Children who qualify must be receiving education before and after the lunch period to be entitled to free school meals.

Backdated claims

Refunds for free school meals are only made in exceptional circumstances. These are handled on an individual basis.

For further information:

• Contact the Admissions and Transport team.