WAT Free School Meals online application form - Click here

Who can get free school meals?

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support 
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit; this is as long as you're not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' payment (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit: this is as long as your household income is less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who are paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or carer, can also get free school meals.  

All children who currently receive or are newly approved for free school meals will remain eligible until at least 31 March 2023.

From 31 March 2023 any primary age child receiving free school meals will remain eligible until they have finished year 6, and any secondary age child will remain eligible until they have finished year 11.

This means that even if your children are in Year R, 1 or 2 and receive a free school meal, if you think you are eligible you should apply now to ensure that your child will receive a free school meal in years 3 and 4.

When you complete an online application, staff at Wimborne Academy Trust and your child's school don't see any specific information about your income or the benefits you receive.

Apply for free school meals

To apply for free school meals for a child in any Wimborne Academy Trust school, please click on the link below. 

WAT Free School Meals online application form - Click here

You'll need your National Insurance number or Asylum Seekers Service number so we can make automated checks to confirm your entitlement.

We'll let you know straight away if you qualify for free school meals and send you a confirmation email.

If you need any help in completing the form, please contact your child's school office and they will be pleased to help you.