Free School Meals

Overview

If you are the parent or guardian of a child in school, they may be eligible for free school meals (opens in a new tab).

For children in secondary school, this would include daily allowance to pay for their lunch.

The information about who receives free school meals is private. 

Free school meals have changed

The Free School Meals scheme (eFSM) requires eligible parents and guardians to apply. 

But with the rollout of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM), all children in primary school in Pembrokeshire now receive free school meals.

Apply for eFSM to receive other support

You should still apply for eFSM if you’re eligible even if UPFSM means your child already receives free school meals.

This is because:

• you may be eligible for other support, such as the School Essentials Grant
• your school could get more funding

You might also be eligible for: 

• help with other education and school costs
• other help from the council

Eligibility  

You may be eligible if you are a parent or guardian of a child in school, and you receive one of these benefits:  

• Income Support
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA). Contribution Based Jobseekers Allowance (CBJSA) does not qualify
• Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credits only, with an annual household Income of under £16,190 *
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (IR)
• Universal Credit

Please note that if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credits in addition to any of these benefits you will not be eligible for free meals, even if your household income is below £16,190*.

* As a guide, an applicant's annual household income is usually stated on a TC602 Tax Credits Summary/Award Notice.

If you receive Universal Credit, your household earnings must be less than £7,400 a year after tax. This does not include any income from benefits. 

Apply

Make an application for eFSM if you are eligible, even if your child already receives free school meals with the rollout of UPFSM.

You can apply any time. 

To apply, you will need your:   

• contact details
• child's details 
• child's school name 
• National Insurance number (if available) 
• current proof of qualifying benefit (even if you are applying for renewal of free meals)