In Southend, children under 19 who are in full-time education may qualify for free school meals if their parents or guardians receive specific benefits.
Here’s a summary of the qualifying criteria:
| Eligibility Criteria |
|---|
| Income Support |
| Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance |
| Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 |
| Guaranteed element of Pension Credit |
| Child Tax Credit (annual gross income must be ≤ £16,190 and not receiving Working Tax Credit) |
| Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after ceasing to qualify) |
| Universal Credit (if applied after 1 April 2018, household income must be < £7,400 after tax) |
| Special cases for children under compulsory school age in full-time education |
Additionally, all children in reception class, year 1, and year 2 at government-funded schools in England are entitled to universal infant free school meals.
If you believe you qualify, you can check your eligibility here. It's important to let the school know if your child qualifies, as it allows the school to access additional funding to support your child.