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Free School Meals

FoodWhat are Free School Meals?

A Free School Meal is a school lunch provided free of charge by Aberdeenshire Council to children from families on a low income.

If your child is at primary school he/she will be given a free dinner ticket. The ticket is handed over to canteen staff at lunchtime giving your child the same choice from the daily menu as a paying pupil.

If your child is at secondary school, he/she will be given a daily credit allowance to be used in the school cafeteria at lunchtime. The credit allowance has the same value as a two course meal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Free School Meals Information & Advice Leaflet

Can my child get free school meals?

Children are eligible for Free School Meals if their parents (or carers) are in receipt of the following:

  • Income Support*
  • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)*
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Any income related element of Employment Support Allowance*
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit (WTC), and have an income of less than £16,040*
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Working Tax Credit (WTC), and have an income of less than £6420
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

*Pupils are eligible for Free School Meals in their own right if they are 16-18 and fall into this category.

Children from families within the following categories may also be eligible for Free School Meals :

  • Student parents who have children at school providing you are receiving child tax credit and your income is less than £16,040
  • Parents or carers who have savings above £16,000, but very low income.

Where can I obtain an application from?

If you are in receipt of housing benefit and/or council tax benefit you will not need to submit a separate application form for free school meals. If you qualify for free school meals we will write to you and confirm your entitlement.

If you are not in receipt of housing benefit or council tax benefit you can obtain an application form for free school meals by contacting us:

Your should return your completed application form to the following address:

  • Aberdeenshire Council, PO Box 18533, Inverurie, AB51 5WX

Do I have to provide any additional information with my application form?

When you complete and return your application form you will have to provide some documentary evidence. This could be:

  • A letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) less than three months old confirming the type of benefit and current eligibility.
  • If you receive Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, your letter must state the words Income-based.
  • Your Tax Credit Award Notice TC602 for 2009/2010 from HM Revenue & Customs
  • Pension Credit Award Notice for 2009/2010 including assessment pages.
  • Confirmation of current support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or a Social Services Asylum Team.

You can send the documentary evidence with your claim form, however we do not advise that you send any valuable documents by post. You may wish to bring your documents to your nearest local Benefit Office where the documents will be verified and returned to you immediately.

If you are experiencing any difficulties in providing the documentary evidence in support of your claim please contact us for advice and assistance.

What happens if my circumstances change?

If your circumstances change for any reason you must contact the Benefits Section:

  • Telephone: 08456 08 01 49
  • Email: benefits@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
  • In person at your local Benefits Office

If you receive a free school meal to which you are not entitled you will be asked to pay that money back.

Who do I contact if I have any queries about Free School Meals?

If you have a query about entitlement to free school meals you can contact the Benefits Section

  • By telephone : 08456 08 01 49
  • By email: benefits@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
  • In person at one of our Benefit Offices