Free school meals are not provided automatically. Free school meals can be given if you fall into one of the following categories: you receive Income Support, you receive Job Seeker's Allowance (income-based), you receive Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), you get support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, you receive the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit, you are entitled to Child Tax Credit, you do not get Working Tax Credit and your family's annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) is not more than £16,190. Anyone receiving Working Tax Credit is not entitled to free school meals regardless of their income unless you have become unemployed in which case free meals can be granted for a four week period.
