Eligible children ‘should be automatically enrolled for free school meals’

Children eligible for free school meals should be automatically enrolled, a group of MPs have said.

Parents can currently apply for free school meals through their local authority if they get income-related benefits such as universal credit.

However, the education committee has heard evidence that one in 10 eligible children are missing out because of language barriers or difficulty with the admin process.

Auto-enrolment would stop children going hungry

The group of MPs has called on the government to change the law so that instead of having to apply, low-income families would be automatically registered for free school meals.

Helen Hayes, chair of the education committee, said this would “ensure that children whose parents struggle to put food on the table at home can get a proper meal at school”.

 “The committee has made recommendations designed to strengthen support for the most vulnerable children in society, based on compelling evidence from experts and from young people,” she commented.

Who can apply for free school meals?

You can apply for free school meals if you claim any of the following benefits:

• 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 (as long as you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• working tax credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
• universal credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018, your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

If you’re not sure whether your child may be eligible, then get in touch with your local council directly. 

You can also speak to Citizens Advice or your school if you need extra financial support.