Free School Meals (FSM) Information

Free School Meals (FSM)

To qualify for Free School Meals you must receive at least one of the following benefits:

Qualifying Benefits:

Free school meals 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 guarantee element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided 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

In addition, the following pupils will be protected against losing their free school meals as follows:

From 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants will continue to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This will apply even if their earnings rise above the new threshold during that time.

In addition, any child gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period.

Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary.

The Universal Credit rollout is currently expected to complete in March 2023.

What if I don’t receive one of the above benefits?

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the government are temporarily extending free school meal eligibility to include some children of groups who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

These groups are:

children of Zambrano carers
children of families with no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
children of families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
These groups are also subject to a maximum household earnings threshold of £7,400 per annum.

We are also temporarily extending eligibility to:

children of a subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
This group is not subject to a maximum household earnings threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for Free School Meals?

To claim a free school meal you should phone or email Regents Park Community Primary School with the following details:

Child's full name
Child's class
Child's date of birth
Your full name
Your National Insurance number
Your date of birth
Your husband/wife/spouse/partner's full name
Your husband/wife/spouse/partner's National Insurance number
Your husband/wife/spouse/partner's date of birth

The email address is: enquiry@rgntpark.bham.sch.uk

My Free School Meal application has been unsuccessful but my child attends infant school and is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2?

As your child is an infant pupil they will still qualify for Universal Infant Free School Meals because you have registered.

Your completed online registration will assist the school in identifying extra funding via Pupil Premium which will benefit the school. We will also re-check your details periodically in case your claim for free meals becomes successful at a later date.

My Child Attends Nursery School. Can I apply for Free School Meals?

If your child is receiving education either side of the lunch period you can claim free school meals when your child attends for a full day.

It must be a school nursery as free meals are not available at private nurseries. Universal Infant Free Meals do not begin until your child reaches Infant School (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2).

How can I ensure that my child is provided with a healthy meal?

Menus and information about Regents Park freshly prepared meals are available on our school meals page https://www.rgntpark.bham.sch.uk/school-meal-menus/.

Will I be required to provide proof of benefits when I make a claim?

When you make a claim with the School you will not be asked for proof of benefits. Your entitlement will be checked against our Eligibility Checking Service which is provided by the Department for Education. If for any reason you are receiving a qualifying benefit but this cannot be confirmed we may in a few cases have to ask for current paper proof of entitlement.

I receive Universal Credit but I also receive other benefits as well, will I be eligible for a Free School Meal?

As long as your net earned income is no more than £7400 as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods then you will be eligible.

My child is currently getting a Free School Meal but my circumstances have changed, will my child lose their meal?

If you are currently eligible for a Free School Meal due to the roll out of Universal Credit your child’s free school meal eligibility will be protected until March 2023 and if they are then still in education they will be protected until the end of their school phase i.e. primary or secondary.

2 of my children currently get a free meal but I will be applying for my youngest child who starts school in September 2018 and my circumstances have changed, will my youngest child be eligible?

As your two older children are already receiving a free school meal, due to the roll out of Universal Credit their eligibility will be protected until March 2023 and if they are then still in education they will be protected until the end of their school phase i.e. primary or secondary.

Your youngest child will not be eligible if your circumstances have changed as they are a new claim so therefore not already protected. If your circumstances change again and you reapply for your youngest child, that child will then be eligible and will then be protected the same as your older children.

I receive Working Tax Credit but my income is below £16,190 can I still claim FSM?

If there is any Working Tax being received in your home, regardless of income unfortunately you are not entitled to claim free school meals.

Is it true that I can claim FSM if I lose my job, even though I receive Working Tax Credit?

If you are receiving Working Tax Credit during a 4 week `run-on’ period after your employment has ceased, you can claim Free School Meals. During the 4 week `run-on’ period it is anticipated that you will either rapidly reclaim another qualifying benefit or find new employment.

Due to the roll out of Universal Credit, when the four week `run-on’ finishes your free meals will now continue until at least March 2023 as your entitlement will be protected even if your circumstances change. Your information will be entered into the Eligibility Checking Service and once that system has confirmed your eligibility your child will receive a Free School Meal.

How will I be advised of the outcome of my online application?

When your application has been processed you will be sent an email or phone call from a member of the school office staff to advise you of the outcome.

If you do not receive notification within 5 working days, please contact the school office.

Please remember to check your junk / spam email folder just in case the email has been redirected incorrectly.