Free School Meals verses Universal Meal Entitlement for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
There is a difference between Free School Meals (FSM) and Universal Meal Entitlement for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
These are 2 separate schemes, so please see further information below:
1. Free School Meals can last throughout your child’s time with us and bring in valuable extra funds to the school. Did you know……. If you are in receipt of any of the following benefits, and apply for free school meals, our school could received a grant of up to £1300 per child and this grant brings valuable funds into the school and benefits our entire school community.
Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?
Free school meals in all West Sussex maintained and free schools and academies are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
· Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
· 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 state Pension Credit
· Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more £16,190)
· Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
How to apply
It only takes few minutes to apply, so if you receive any of the benefits specified above, you can apply online using the following link https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/#how-to-apply
Once your application has been successfully processed, you will receive confirmation from West Sussex County Council.
School Holiday Food Vouchers
Pupils who are in receipt of Free School Meals also receive free school meal vouchers for each half term and termly holidays, currently to the value of £10.00 per pupil per week. These are available to spend at most supermarkets and are emailed directly to the recipient parent before each school holiday.
Eligibility must be granted by West Sussex County Council prior to school holidays, so if you think you might be eligible for Free School Meals in Reception, Year 1 and 2, please act fast to avoid missing out on your half term/holiday vouchers!
Click the link if you are eligible https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/#is-my-child-eligible to apply.
2. Universal Meal Entitlement for Reception Year 1 and Years 2 is a government scheme which provides a free meal for every child in Early Years Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Parents do not need to apply for this and the entitlement for each child automatically ends at the end of KS1, at the end of Year 2.