With the cost of living crisis, is it possible that your child is eligible for Free School Meals and you haven’t yet claimed?
The qualifying criteria for free school meals are:
* 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 guaranteed 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 the four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit. Proof of this will be required
* 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
It is easy to apply on-line at https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/free-school-meals/apply-for-free-school-meals/
Children in receipt of Free School Meals are also eligible for free holiday activities provided through the Government’s Holiday, Activities and Food scheme which is provided by Shropshire Council.