Many families may be eligible for free school meals. You may be eligible for help if you fall into one of the following categories:
- You are in receipt of income support or a Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
- You are entitled to child tax credits with income no greater than £16,190 as shown on your TC602 from the Inland Revenue. If you receive working tax credit then you are not eligible
- You receive the guarantee element of state pension credit
- You get support from the national asylum support service
Yes? Then your child may be entitled to free school meals.
If your children attend:
- A state primary school or state secondary school or
- A sixth form within a state school
How do I apply?
You can download a form from the 'Do it now' section on this page or you can contact us by:
- Telephone: 01454 868008
- Email: cis@southglos.gov.uk
- Fax: 01454 868420
Can I pick up or return a form anywhere else?
- The reception at Thornbury Offices, Castle Street
- One-stop shop at Kingswood Civic Centre
- One-stop shop at Yate Shopping Centre
- At most schools in South Gloucestershire
Contact hours of above offices:
Monday to Thursday: 8.45am to 5.00pm and Friday: 8.45am to 4.30pm.
What proof must I have?
- You can ask your benefits agency office to sign and stamp the form or a recent letter from the Benefits Agency, or form TC602 from the Inland Revenue
- You can call at our offices with your income support letter, which must be no more than 3 months old
If you are receiving housing benefit and income support you can call into a 'one-stop shop' and they will be able to stamp the FSM(A) form for you.
What happens next?
Complete the FSM(A) form listing your children and the schools they attend. This must then be returned to the address above with proof of your benefit, which must be less than 3 months old and have your current address on it.
Once your eligibility has been verified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) you will be sent a letter confirming your child/ren's entitlement to free school meals. You should then take this letter to your child/rens' school/s which will then enable your child/ren to start receiving free school meals. Your eligibility will continue until we are informed your benefits have ceased.