All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 get a free meal at lunchtime, under the government's Infant Free School Meals scheme. These are provided at all Bury Council maintained schools, academies, free schools, and pupil referral units. You do not have to apply for these. But if your child is in a key stage 1 year group and you get one of the qualifying incomes shown below it will help the school if you make a claim for free school meals, as they can get extra funding.
From year 3 onwards free school meals are only available if you get one of the following:
If you get Working Tax Credits you will not be eligible unless you are receiving the four week 'run on' payment after stopping work.
Free school meals are available for pupils at local authority maintained primary and secondary schools, including academies. They are not available for children at private or independent schools.
They are also available for eligible households with:
If you get free school meals and your income increases above the qualifying limits your children will still get free meals until at least 31 March 2024.
If they are still at school on 31 March 2024, free school meals will continue until the end of year 6 if they are at primary school, or the end of year 11 if they are at secondary school.
This protection only covers children included in the original claim. Any younger siblings who start school after your income exceeds the thresholds will not get free school meals.
Please use the form below to apply if you live:
You will need yours and your partner's National Insurance numbers or National Asylum Support Service numbers.
When you apply, we will check with the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenues and Customs that you are receiving a qualifying income. If they confirm you are eligible, we will let your child's school know. If we cannot confirm your income we will ask you provide proof of it to us.
There is no need to reclaim free school meals every year. But tell us if: