Free School Meals
Universal Free School Meals
All children attending a state funded infant or primary school in reception class, year 1 or year 2 can get a free school meal regardless of income.
There is no need for you to complete an application form for children in reception class, year 1 or year 2 unless you receive a qualifying benefit.
If you receive a qualifying benefit (listed below) we would urge you to make a formal application. This will allow your child’s school to claim additional funding called Pupil Premium.
Once your child moves into year 3, their entitlement to UIFSM stops. If you want your child to continue getting a school meal, you will either have to pay or claim for an income-related free school meal.
Income-Related Free School Meals
Provided your child is attending a state funded school or academy full-time in the Wakefield District they will qualify for income-related free school meals if you receive:
- Income Support
- Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income related Employment Support Allowance
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit - if you have a yearly household income of less than £16,190 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) and you do not get Working Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working tax Credit)
- Universal Credit, provided you have an annual earned income of no more than £7400
Please be aware that the following benefits do not qualify for Income Related Free School Meals:
- Contributions based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Contributions based Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Invalidity Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Child Benefit
How to claim: FSM Application Online Form
