HUNDREDS of thousands of children are missing out on free school meals, new analysis reveals.
Over 230,000 eligible children in England are not receiving them because their parents or carers have not applied.
The analysis from the Liberal Democrats comes amidst the cost of living crisis with many families struggling to make ends meet.
It means hundreds of thousands of children are missing out on not just free school meals but Pupil Premium too, worth up to £1,385 a year.
The criteria for free school meals varies based on location and financial situation.
Scotland and Wales have committed to rolling out the benefit for all primary school pupils.
At present in Scotland, all students can get free school meals between reception and year five, regardless of the parents’ income.
In Wales, all pupils in reception get free school meals, and by the end of the year, this offer will be extended to all year one and two pupils.
By the end of 2024, all primary school pupils in Wales will get free school meals.
In England, all children in reception, year one and two can get a free meal in school.
Whether or not you qualify for free school meals after that depends on whether you get certain benefits and your income.
In all three nations, you qualify if you are in receipt of certain benefits regardless of income, including: income support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
In England and Wales, this also includes the guaranteed element of Pension Credit, and working tax credit.
But for millions of families on Universal Credit, there are income requirements.
In England and Wales, you must have an income of £7,400 a year or less, not including benefits. Those on child tax credits must earn under £16,190 a year.
How you can apply for free school meals depends on where you live.
In England, you can find out whether your child is eligible on your local council’s website.
If your child is entitled to free school meals, they’ll also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, which offers support over school holidays.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you should use the government’s council locator tool.
You just have to enter your postcode into the search bar and it will tell you what authority to contact.
In Wales and Scotland you need to apply through your local council as well.
In Northern Ireland, residents have to contact the Education Authority.
In other news, some councils are offering pupils supermarket vouchers to tie them over this winter, like in Essex.
And Portsmouth Council has issued thousands of vouchers to parents whose children qualify for benefits-related free school meals already.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk
