Free School Meals
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive Universal Free School Meals, meaning you do not have to pay for your child(ren)'s school dinners whilst they are in the Infant phase.
If you are in receipt of benefits (please see below for more details), you can apply for Benefit Related Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) which means you will not have to pay for your child(ren)'s school meals once they go into the Junior School. It also means that you can receive free school milk now and can ask the school for help with uniform, trips, after school clubs, etc. Being registered for Benefit Related Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) also means that you may receive help with food costs during holidays (please see below for further details).
You are most likely to be eligible for Benefit Related Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) if you receive 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 on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
More details can be found under: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
If you think you may be eligible for Benefit Related Free School Meals (Pupil Premium), you can go to the website above and put in your post code or go directly to Havering's website
https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20006/schools_and_education/431/free_school_meals_and_pupil_premium to apply.
Alternatively, you can email us your full name, date of birth and National Insurance number and we will ask Havering to check your eligibility.
Winter Grant Scheme
Havering Council has launched a new package of financial support to help residents through the winter months.
The COVID Winter Grant Scheme will allow the Council to help the most vulnerable households and families with children who have been worst affected by the pandemic.
This help means low-income families will be able to claim cash payments of £170 a month to help with heating and other essential utility bills.
Meanwhile, individuals or smaller households with low incomes can also get £100 per month to keep their homes warm this winter. Residents can apply for support online through the existing DABD online application form, and DABD will then follow up applications by phone. People can view the full eligibility criteria and apply for support at:
The Winter Grant Scheme also includes the continued support to ensure no child goes hungry during the school holidays. Please see www.havering.gov.uk/covid19mealsupport for further details.