Parent Financial Assistance

    FREE SCHOOL MEALS

    Information regarding free school meals is available below. If you have further questions please phone us:

    Tel: 0845 877 0031

    You can also visit us at Graylaw House or e-mail us on freeschoolmeals@vtplc.com

    Our opening times are 9.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

    What are Free School Meals?
    Free school meals are school lunches that are provided each school day for pupils, for which no charge is made. Pupil Services deal with applications for free school meals for pupils who attend schools in Waltham Forest. If your child attends school in another area, you will need to contact the Local Authority that maintains that school.

    The government has given us clear instructions about who is entitled to receive Free School Meals.
    Please read these notes carefully.

    Data Protection Act 1998
    The information you provide will be used to assess entitlement to Free School Meals. We may also share this information with other bodies within the council.
    If you live in Waltham Forest, your children who live with you are entitled to Free School Meals if they are, or will be, full time school pupils aged four and over, attending a Local Authority maintained school.

    Who can claim for Free School Meals?
    Free School Meals are awarded to pupils whose parents/legal guardians receive:
    • Income Support (IS)
    • Income Based job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA)
    • An income related employment an support allowance (IBESA) (this benefit was introduced on 27th October 2008)
    • Support under part VI of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999 or
    • Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that as of 6 April 2009 does not exceed £16,040
    • The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
    • Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also entitled to received free school meals.

    What evidence do I need to provide?
    Evidence confirming receipt of one of the benefits listed above must be provided with the application form. Examples of acceptable forms of documentary proofs are as follows (please note that we can accept photocopies of these):

    Income Support
    • A letter (dated within the last six weeks) from your Local Benefits Agency
    • A Post Office or Bank Statement confirming receipt of DWP IS (Income Support), dated within the last 6 weeks

    Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
    • A letter (dated within the last six weeks) from the Jobcentre which confirms you are in receipt of Income Based JSA

    Child Tax Credit
    • Copy of the most recent TC602 Tax Credit Award Notice for the current financial year

    Guarantee element of state pension credit
    • A letter (dated within the last six seeks) from the Pension Service confirming that you are in receipt of Pension Credit

    Asylum seeker
    • Or a letter from the Local Authority providing financial assistance confirming Asylum status (dated within the last six weeks)
    • or a letter from the National Asylum Seeker Service (dated within the last six weeks)

    Is my foster child entitled to Free School meals?
    No. This is because authorised foster carers receive an allowance that covers all living costs, including meals taken at school.

    What if my child is excluded from school?
    If your child has been excluded from school and is placed in an Alternative Provision, the entitlement to free school meals may be cancelled because the establishment may not have the provision to provide school meals and you may have to supply your child with a packed lunch.  Please check with your child's Alternative Provision provider.

    How often do I apply?
    You should apply for free school meals as soon as you start receiving benefit. If you are currently receiving free school meals, you should reapply every year.

    How will I know when my child can have free school meals?
    You will be sent a notification in the post within 15 school days advising you that your child is entitled to free school meals for one year from the date of application. Schools concerned will be notified within 15 school days that your child can have free school meals.

    What if my circumstances change?
    You must notify the School and Pupil Services of any changes:

    • If you start work and come off benefits
    • If you change address
    • If your child changes school

    No other benefits or income entitles you to free school meals. Any meals taken, while you are not receiving the appropriate benefit, will have to be paid for.

    Where can I get more information?
    For more information on the Education Welfare Benefits Scheme or answers to any questions you may have, please phone or fax us:

    Tel 0845 877 0031
    Fax 020 8532 8537 

    You can also visit us at Graylaw House or e-mail us on freeschoolmeals@vtplc.com

    Our opening times are 9.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

    Warning
    It is a serious offence to knowingly supply false information or to withhold relevant information when applying for a grant. VTE&S Waltham Forest has a duty to protect the funds it administers and may use the information you provide to prevent and detect fraud. We may also share this information with other Council departments and organisations administering public funds solely for these purposes.