Free school meals

Vouchers were sent on 2 August, please check your junk and inbox folders. The voucher for the summer break is £16 which will cover 8 days which are not covered by HAF. The expectation is that children entitled to free school meals attend HAF (https://find.redbridge.gov.uk/kb5/redbridge/fsd/family.page?familychannel=1_1_13) for the first part of the summer break, the council encourage all families to sign up to the programme for free activities and free meals. The scheme is set up for all families in receipt of the vouchers to attend HAF for the first 4 weeks and the vouchers cover the remaining days which are not covered by HAF. Please note, there is no option of choosing not to attend HAF and claiming vouchers instead. The Ilford Community Grocery - we urge every family in need to join the Ilford Community Grocery, 25-29 Clements Rd where residents can buy food at 80% discount - https://communitygrocery.org.uk/ilford/ Help with a uniform: Preloved School Uniform Drive - https://inilford.com/events/preloved-school-uniform-drive Cost of Living - Debt and money advice - https://costofliving.redbridge.gov.uk/debt-and-money-advice/ Apply for household support fund: https://eforms.redbridge.gov.uk/household-support-fund/#household,%20support,%20fund,%20application%20form

Free school meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a hot free school meal. However, if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and you receive one of the listed qualifying benefits, you should make an application for free school meals as the school your child attends will receive extra funding. 

If your child is in Year 3 or above, and you receive one of the listed qualifying benefits, you should make an application for free school meals. 

Please note: Local Authorities are only able to process FSM registrations based on the Government's criteria for eligibility.  Please check the GOV.UK website for current eligibility as we can only work to their guidelines. 

 

Qualifying benefits for free school meals  

  • 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 is a disqualifying benefit regardless of your household income - this means that you would not be entitled to Free School Meals whilst in receipt of Working Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • 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)

Young benefit claimants application for free school meals

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals. 

 

How to register for free school meals online 

The information provided allows for an automated check via the Eligibility Checking Service, if the result is inconclusive then we will email you to request proof of benefit.

If your child is entitled, we will email you and the school to inform you of the start date entitlement.  

All communication regarding Free School Meals is done via email only. 

Apply for free school meals


Council Tax support 

Do you get any help with your Council Tax? If not and you are finding it difficult to meet your payments please visit the Council Tax webpages. 

 

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