Manchester schools
We can only provide free school meals if your child's school is in Manchester. If it isn't, you'll need to find out which authority is responsible for the school and contact them for advice.
Who is eligible?
Your child may qualify for free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guaranteed part of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (as long as your annual gross income is £16,190 or less and you don’t get Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit run-off after you come off Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit that you applied for on, or after, 1 April 2018. As long as your household income is less than £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits
Additional information
- In addition, ALL children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 can get free school meals - whatever your income. However, if you have one of the qualifying incomes it will help the school if you tell them this, so they can get extra funding.
- Children who are younger than the compulsory age for starting school but in full-time education, can also get free school meals.
- Your child may also qualify if you are an asylum seeker, or if they receive any of these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian.
If your child qualifies and attends a Trafford school, but you do not live in Trafford, you will be a sent a supermarket voucher automatically through your school.
Please note: If your school doesn't appear on the list provided in the form or you have a specific query, you'll need to contact the school directly.
Information and support for when your child leaves secondary school
Changes to benefits when your child turns 16 – get advice from the Gingerbread charity
There's also a Government education bursary for 16-19 year olds. This can help with the cost of books, transport and the cost of meals on days when you are in education or training. Find out more about the Government education bursary.
There's also more general advice about next steps after finishing at school for young people.