A request has to be made before the Council can provide free school meals. Normally, the parent or guardian of the child makes the request.
If you think you have the right to free school meals you can telephone the Free School Meals team on 0113 224404 who will be able to give you more information. If you prefer, you can speak to an advisor at your local One Stop Shop.
You can use this link on the Leeds City Council website and this will allow you to apply:
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/apply-report-or-pay
What happens next?
Once you have made a request for free school meals, we aim to deal with your request within 3 working days. We will check your entitlement to free school meals using the Department of Education's Eligibility Checking Service. In most cases this is all we need but, if we are unable to confirm your entitlement using this service, we will contact you for more information.
Once we have dealt with your request we will send you a letter confirming your entitlement to free school meals. We will also send an email to your child's school the morning after we process your request to let them know that your child can start having free school meals.
You do not have to reapply for free school meals. As long as your circumstances stay the same, we will automatically renew your right to free school meals in July each year. The Council will write to you at that time to confirm that your child will continue to receive free school meals.
What happens if my circumstances change?
If you have a change in your circumstances you must let us know straight away as it may affect your entitlement to free school meals. The things you must tell us about are:
- If you stop receiving Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance or Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- HMRC reviews your claim for Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit
- You stop receiving support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- A child leaves your home
- A child comes to live with you
- A younger sibling starts school or Nursery
- Your child changes school
- You change address
Refunds
Normally, the earliest date your free school meals can start is the date we receive your request. But, if you have a qualifying benefit backdated, for example, you win an appeal for Income Support, we will refund any school meals you have paid for from the date you qualified for the benefit. We will also refund any school meals you have paid for between the date of your request and the date your child starts receiving free school meals.
What other benefits can I get by claiming free school meals?
Even if your child does not want free school meals, you should still make a request. This is because you may be entitled to other benefits for your child, for example, free school milk for children under seven, or help to pay for school trips.
To be eligible for free school meals, you must receive one of the following benefits:
· Income Support
· Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
· Child Tax Credit (not Working Tax Credit) with an annual income below £16,190
· Pension Guarantee Credit · Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
· Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
· Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying)
· Universal Credit with a household income of £7,400 or less (after tax and excluding benefits)
We operate a cashless catering system, where students use a swipe card to pay for meals. Funds can be added via ParentPay, our online payment platform. To avoid payment delays, we recommend using the standard card payment method rather than the one-click bank transfer, which can take up to 10 days to process. Follow these steps to top up your child’s balance:
1. Log in to ParentPay.
2. Select your child’s name and click ‘Pay for Meals’.
3. Enter the amount and add to your basket.
4. Click the trolley icon and proceed to checkout.
5. Choose ‘Other Payment Method’ and enter your card details.
6. Click ‘Review Payment’ and then ‘Pay Now’.
7. Check your email for confirmation from platform@parentpay.com.
Pupils are welcome to bring a packed lunch from home. We encourage healthy choices, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain foods, to support their learning and wellbeing throughout the day.
If your child has any dietary requirements or allergies, please inform the school so we can make suitable arrangements. Please be aware of allergies of other pupils and follow and guidance you get from school about what food can be brought in from home.
