Free School Meals

We want every student to enjoy a healthy meal each day, so we encourage families to apply for free school meals if they’re eligible.

This section provides clear guidance on how to apply and the benefits your child will receive. We handle all applications with discretion and are committed to removing barriers to learning through access to essential support.

Patcham High School has increased the government funding for free school meals, providing students with a daily allowance of £3.60. Students can purchase a small snack at break and a meal deal at lunchtime, or families can top up further to subsidise these costs.

Who is eligible for Free School Meals? 

Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

  • 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 guaranteed 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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

  • Universal Credit – if you apply after 1 April 2018, your household income must be less than £7400 per year

Children, who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, may also get free school meals.

Working Tax Credit

If you are in receipt of any Working Tax Credit you will not be eligible to apply for Free School Meals

Unsure if you are eligible for free school meals?

If I get?

Do we get free meals?

Child Tax Credit
(Household income above £16,190) 

No

Child Tax Credit
(Household income below £16,190) 

Yes

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit 

No

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit on a four week run on 

Yes

Working Tax Credit
(Household income below £16,190)

No

No Tax Credits but income is below £16,190

No - you need to be getting one of the benefits listed above

 

Brighton and Hove Free School Meals Team can undertake an online check for you in complete confidence -you will need to tell us your National Insurance Number or your National Asylum Seeker Number (NASS), your date of birth and your surname (as it appears on your benefit letter)

Call the Free School Meals team 01273 293497

If your application is approved, they will contact the school so that we can get the free school meals in place.