Free School Meals
Since September 2014 all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have been eligible for Universal Free School Meals. In some areas—most notably across London—local authorities have extended the offer to include all primary years too. For children in Year 3 and beyond, eligibility for funding is currently means-tested, typically linked to receipt of certain benefits (e.g., Universal Credit with annual earnings under £7,400). However, transitional protections mean families already receiving Free School Meals won’t lose entitlement even if their circumstances change, up until the end of the 2025–26 school year
Regardless of your child’s year group we would encourage you to register your entitlement as all successful applications attract additional funding to our school which we can spend on resources for your children.
How do I know if I qualify for Free School Meals?
The GOV.UK website explains that a child may be eligible for Pupil Premium free school meals (FSM) if their parents are in receipt of any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided the parents are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax credit
- Universal Credit – for those applying on or after 1 April 2018, their household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits they get). For more information on Universal credits please click here
The school will be happy to support you with an application. Please speak to a member of the administrative team and/or send an email to admin@raylodge.org.uk