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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?

You can claim free school lunches for your children if you are receiving:

  • Income Support (IS)
  • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £15,860 (with effect from April 6, 2011).
  • Both maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit and your income is under £6420 (with effect from April 6, 2011).

If you are between 16 amd 18 years old and received any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school lunches for yourself.

You many also be eligible if you are an asylum seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Contribution bases job seekers allowance is not an eligible criteria for free school meals. For more information on Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit visit the Inland Revenue website.

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 2011/2012 from HM Revenue & Customs
  • Pension Credit Award Notice for 2011/2012 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