Can my child get free school meals?

If your child attended a Southwark primary school, they would have received free healthy meals throughout their primary career.

At secondary school, many pupils are still eligible however it is important that you apply for this using the simple steps below. If you need help to do this, please contact our school office.

Free school meal allowances are discreetly added to pupils' digital accounts each day and provide enough for a healthy meal. You can also top-up more funds to be used for break time snacks.

‍

Southwark Council Universal Credit Free School Meals

If you do not meet the criteria for Free School Meals as listed below, you may still be eligible for the Southwark scheme which has extended free school meals to families in receipt of Universal Credit. To apply for this, please send an email to edfinance@chartereastdulwich.org.uk

‍

‍

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you or your partner get any of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act1999
• 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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

If you believe your child may be eligible for Free School Meals you can check your eligibility for free school meals online https://pps.lgfl.org.uk‍

‍

A Certificate of Eligibility is available through the website for any child eligible for a free school meal.

If your application is successful your child will be entitled to Free School Meals until the end of their secondary education. There will be no need to inform the school if your personal circumstances change throughout this time.

A credit of £2.57 will be added to your child’s lunch account daily. This will cover the cost of a cold or hot meal deal. This credit can only be used at lunchtime and resets daily.

‍If you do not qualify for Free School Meals we kindly request that you top up your child's account weekly or daily before 10am to ensure the credit reaches your child's account in time for lunch.