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Financial Assistance
Free School Meals
What 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:
- Can my child get free school meals?
- Where can I obtain an application from?
- Do I have to provide any additional information with my application form?
- What happens if my circumstances change?
- Who do I contact if I have a query about Free School Meals?
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)*
- Child Tax Credit (CTC, but not Working Tax Credit (WTC), and have an income of less than £15,575*
- 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
- Parents or carers who have savings above £16,000, but very low income.
A leaflet called "A Guide on how to Obtain Free School Meals" has been produced (pdf 172kb)
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:
- Telephone: 08456 08 01 49
- Email: benefits@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
- In person from your local Benefits Office or from your child/children's school.
- Download an application form
Your should return your completed application form to the following address:
- Aberdeenshire Council, PO Box 18533, Inverurie, AB51 5WX
A leaflet has been produced which provides additional information about free school meals.
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 2008/09 from HM Revenue & Customs showing entitlement to Child Tax Credit ONLY
(with no Working Tax Credit payment) with a gross income assessed by HM Revenue & Customs of £15,575 or less. - Pension Credit Award Notice for 2008/09 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
