**IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANY PARENTS RECEIVING UNIVERSAL CREDIT OR THINKING OF APPLYING FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT**
2nd March 2018
Dear Parents,
There will be some changes to the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals from 1st April 2018.
From 1st April 2018, a wage threshold will be introduced to parents and carers who receive Universal Credit.
Anyone who works and successfully applies for free school meals before 31st March 2018 will get transitional protection so their child(ren) will continue to receive free school meals either until 2022 or until their child(ren) finishes their current phase of education, regardless of any increase in their earnings level.
Wage thresholds for working parents who also get Universal Credit will mean some parents/carers will not qualify if they make a new Free School Meals application after 1st April 2018.
The advice is to apply immediately for free school meals and certainly before 31st March if you think you may be eligible.
Applications can be made in the usual ways:
- Via the attached form and handed in at the school office. We recommend this way as we can track your application.
- Via the Wirral Council website www.wirral.gov.uk/free-school-meals (please ignore any negative messages received from the eligibility auto checker)
- Via e-mail to freeschoolmeals@wirral.gov.uk advising full name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, names of children and schools attended
If you have any queries, please call in to the school office.