Free School meals – pdf download

IS YOUR CHILD ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A FREE SCHOOL MEAL?

A Free School Meal is a school lunch, or any item from the school kitchen between 8.30am-lunchtime in Secondary schools, provided free of charge by Dumfries and Galloway Council, to children attending Nursery (including commissioned providers), Primary and Secondary School whose families meet the following required criteria:

 Income Support

 Job Seekers Allowance (Income based)

 Employment and Support Allowance (Income based)

 Child Tax Credit on its own with an annual income under £16,105

 Child Tax Credit with Working Tax Credit with an annual income under £6,420

 Universal Credit

 Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If you apply and qualify for Free School Meals there is a potential yearly saving of £332.50 per primary child and £351.50 per secondary child.

Currently Primaries 1,2 and 3 receive a free school meal, however if you meet the above criteria and qualify, you can receive support (see below)

 School Clothing Grant worth up to £80.00 per child

 Free Music tuition costing £200.00 and free instrument hire costing £49.00

 Up to 600 hours free Early Learning and Childcare for 2 year old children

 Financial help towards the cost of School Transport for Non Entitled Pupils of £250.00 per pupil paid in 2 instalments during August and January. Please note additional criteria does apply –they must attend their catchment school, live more than 2 but less than 3 miles from school and have previously been declined for “grace and favour” transport.

Some Scottish Government funding direct to schools is linked to the Free School Meal entitlement in that school. If you apply and qualify, you will also be helping your child’s school.

You can request an application form for Free School Meals and a Clothing Grant by contacting the Community and Commissioning Team on (01387) 260493. Application forms

are also available at your child’s/children’s school and from Dumfries and Galloway website www.dumgal.gov.uk.

If you would like more information about Instrumental Instruction in your area please contact the Instrumental Instruction Service on (01387) 722152.

If you would like information on how to apply for Early Learning and Childcare you can apply for a place by emailing free600@dumgal.gov.uk with your name and address or by telephone on 01387 273950.

Applications for help towards School transport are available online from the Dumfries and Galloway website or from your local school.

August, 2016.