Free school meals
Infant Free School Meals
Your child gets free school meals if they’re in:
- reception class
- year 1
- year 2
Apply online now if you’re entitled. This will ensure your child gets free school meals as they move to Year 3.
Your child’s school could get more funding if your child is eligible.
Children in Year 3 and older
Children in Year 3 and above may get free school meals if their parents or carers get any of these benefits:
-
Universal Credit - GOV.UK (with an annual household income below £7,400 after tax, not including other benefits).
-
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK
-
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - GOV.UK
-
Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK (with an annual household income less than £16,190).
-
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit). Anyone who gets Working Tax Credit itself, won’t get free school meals.
Children eligible after 1 April 2018 will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling they are in (primary or secondary). They will remain eligible until March 2025, even if their circumstances change.
Children must be in school both before and after lunchtime to quality for free school meals.
If your child goes one of the East Sussex academies listed below, contact the school to apply for free school meals.
Primary academies
- Ark Blacklands
- Ark Castledown
- Ark Little Ridge
- Breakwater
- Burfield
- Hawkes Farm
- High Cliff
- Hollington
- Peacehaven Heights
- Phoenix
- Telscombe Cliffs
- White House
Out of county
Contact your child's school if they do not attend school in East Sussex.
Huggg food vouchers for school holidays
Children who are eligible for free school meals can get Huggg food vouchers in the school holidays. Children who qualify for early years funding because they are from a low-income household can also get Huggg vouchers.
The amount depends on the length of the holiday, but it is at least £15 for half term and at least £30 for longer holidays. The vouchers are funded by central government as part of the Household Support Fund.
For the Easter 2024 holiday, eligible children will get a £30 voucher.
You will need to activate your voucher by 23 April 2024. If you haven't activated the voucher by the deadline, it will be cancelled. Once you have activated the voucher, you have a year to spend it.
How to get a Huggg voucher
The vouchers are issued before each holiday via schools, colleges and early years providers.
If you have already received your voucher, but are unsure how to use it, you can find helpful guides on the Huggg website: How do I use my voucher?
If you think you are eligible but haven’t received a voucher, please contact your school, college or provider first.
If you are still having issues you can contact our Free School Meals team:
Stay healthy
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Cost of living
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