Free School Meals

What makes parents/Guardians eligible?
Free school meals can only be provided to a pupil whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are in receipt of one of the following:

Child Tax Credit - where total annual income is also less than £14,155
Income Support (with responsibility for children
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (with responsibility for children)
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Pupils who receive Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance in their own right are also eligible to receive free school meals

Am I eligible if I'm claiming Working Tax Credit with income less than £14,155?
As it stands at this present time, no, but you can apply if you wish in case anything changes in long term. As soon as you are no longer eligible for Working Tax Credit you must inform the Inland Revenue and the free school meals service can start depending on individual circumstances.

How to Apply
You can collect a form from your child's school or by contacting C2BG on: 01495 311556. Alternatively, there's an application form at the bottom of this page, which can also be found on the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council web site, here.

Can nursery children receive free school meals?
Pupils who attend Nursery or classes on a part-time basis are not eligible for free school meals.

Pupils attending Nursery on a full-time basis are eligible for free school meals, at the discretion of the Headteacher, provided their Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are in receipt of Benefits/Child Tax Credit.

How long does my eligibility
Eligibility usually runs from April to March, but random checks on parents’ eligibility is carried out throughout the school year and if up-to-date information is not provided as requested, free school meals will be stopped.

Do I need a separate form for children attending different schools?
No, one form is sufficient for all children attending the same school or different schools.

Is my child eligible at college level?
Parents need to contact the college that they are attending to find if they are eligible.

How long does it take to authorise the form?
Providing all parts of the form are completed correctly we will notify the school within 24 hrs.

Are parents notified of eligibility?
Yes, parents will receive a letter of confirmation when their form has been completed.

Free school meals application form