Don’t let your child miss out on free school meals

Last updated: 01 October 2012 14:36

Parents and carers across Portsmouth are being encouraged to phone the council this week and check if their children are eligible for free school meals.

If parents or carers receive of any of the benefits listed below they should call the council on (023) 9283 4962 on Wednesday 3 October and confirm their name, date of birth and national insurance number.

Staff will then be able to complete the application over the phone and if eligible, the child should receive their first free school meal the very next day.

Councillor Rob Wood is cabinet member for Children and Education at the council.

He said: ‘School meals offer a variety of delicious and nutritious food for children to choose from every day and are a great way for them to enjoy a balanced diet.

“The number of children benefiting from free schools meals in Portsmouth is increasing but there are still many families missing out on the free school meals they are eligible for.

“Please therefore just phone to check if you are eligible - it is a straight forward process, there are no complicated forms to fill in and your children could be enjoying great, healthy food every day with no bills for you to pay.”

School meals are provided by ISS Education who offer three main dishes and two vegetable accompaniments to choose from and a salad bar with up to six salad choices daily. There is also a selection of hot and cold deserts on offer and the option of cold water or semi-skimmed milk to drink.

You will be entitled to claim free school meals if your child attends a Portsmouth local authority school and you are in receipt of one or more of the following:

• Income Support
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
• An income-related employment and support allowance
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190.
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.