Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
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Income Support
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income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
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income-related Employment and Support Allowance
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support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
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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)
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Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
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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)
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:
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younger than the compulsory age for starting school
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in full-time education
Infant free school meals in England
Your child will be able to get free school meals if they’re in a government-funded school and in:
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reception class
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year 1
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year 2
Tell your local authority if you also get any of the qualifying benefits. Your child’s school can get extra funding if you do.