Free School Meals
Am I Eligible for Free School Meals?
Cheshire East award free school meals to families that receive
the qualifying incomes as outlined below, and whose children attend
a Cheshire East school.
Parents/Guardians whose children attend schools outside Cheshire
East need to contact the Local Authority in which the school is
situated.
-
Income support (IS)
Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA);
-
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA(IR)) (this
benefit was introduced on 27 October 2008);
- support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
or
-
Child Tax Credit, provided they are not in receipt of
Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed
by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed
£16,190.
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
- Children who receive
IS
or
IBJSA
in
their own right are also entitled to receive free school
meals.
- If you have recently become employed but are still receiving
working tax credits, you may be entitled to free school meals if
you receive a 4 week run of WTC. Please call our Schools Team on
0300 123 5012 for advice.
It should be noted that children who receive “education suitable
for children who have not attained compulsory school age” will
still need to satisfy the additional requirement of “receiving
education both before and after the lunch period”, before being
eligible to receive free school meals.
If You Think You Are Eligible
All you have to do is phone the number below and we will let you
know if the Children in your care are entitled to Free School
Meals.
Free School Meals Helpline - 0300 123 5012.
Alternatively you can complete the
Free School Meals enquiry form online.
We will assess your claim using our eligibility checker to
confirm your entitlement; if successful your claim will begin the
same day. If your claim is not successful or if we require any
further information we will contact you by phone or email.
What Happens Next?
Your entitlement will begin on the day your fully completed
application form with the required proof of eligibility is received
at the Customer Contact Centre not the date you become eligible to
any of the stated benefits. Claims will NOT be
backdated. A letter of entitlement will be issued to you
by this office.
How Are The Arrangements Reviewed?
Eligibility for free school meals is reviewed periodically and
providing you are still eligible your claim will be renewed
automatically. It may be necessary for parents/carers to re-apply
completing an application form; this will be sent out to you if
required.
You must notify the Customer Contact Centre:-
- If you stop receiving any of the stated benefits or commence
receiving Working Tax Credit
- Your child changes school or leaves school
- You change your address
Address Details
Main Office:
Free School Meals,
PO BOX 624,
Town Hall,
Macclesfield SK10 9JS.
Telephone: Cheshire East - 0300 123 5012
Fax: 01606 274338
Email: freeschoolmeals@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Or
Any Cheshire Maintained School
