To be eligible for free school meals, your family's annual household income must be no higher than:

• £22,700 for families outside of London with one child

• £26,300 for families outside of London with two or more children

This includes any wider income or support you may be getting and any earnings from employment.

You must also have less than £16,000 in savings, including any shares, investments and bank accounts - but not including your home.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support

• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit - Provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit Also your annual gross income is 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 your household income is less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

• children who get these benefits paid to them, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also claim free school meals.

Your child may also claim free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school

• in full-time education

• free school meals are available to statutory school aged children attending full time education. Full time education is defined as full days from 9am to 3pm, this excludes private nurseries and further education colleges.

How do I apply?

Where possible all parents and guardians should apply online. You will need to register on the Citizen Portal to do this. If you apply online you will receive an immediate response telling you if you are eligible for the vouchers.

If you are unable to apply online please contact the free school meals team - telephone: 0300 373 3300.

To apply  for Free School Meals and Clothing Grant please click on the link below:-

https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/schools-and-education/free-school-meals-and-clothing-vouchers