Please note: school meal payments will continue to be made during the school holidays until May 2023, information on how to apply is below. Please ensure that schools are informed of the most up to date contact information.
Extension of free school meals from September 2022
Thanks to Welsh Government funding, councils across Wales are extending the availability of free school meals, beginning with their youngest learners. The aim is that every primary school pupil will be able to have a free school meal by 2024.
The Welsh Government has extended free school meals during school holidays for those in receipt of certain benefits until the 2023 May half-term. Those already receiving benefits related free school meals (rather than universal free school meals) will continue to recieve the payment voucher throughout the school holidays.
If you are not already claiming additional support and think you may be eligible, please see below for details and how to apply.
From September 2022, Newport will be offering free school meals to all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in local authority-maintained schools.
Children in Reception, year 1 and year 2
How will my child receive these meals?
Pupils will be able to access these directly through their school at the start of term. You do not have to apply to receive a free school meal.
What other support is available?
Families that have traditionally qualified for free school meals can still access additional support but must apply to the council.
Support includes:
This is dependent on the income you receive and is subject to certain eligibility criteria as set out below. If you think you may be entitled to this support, please make an application.
Please note: An application for additional support only needs to be made if your child is not already entitled to free school meals. If your child is already receiving free school meals (prior to September 2022) these will be automatically rolled over into the new academic year. We are able to check your eligibility for the additional support without the need for you to reapply.
Children in year 3 and above
If your child is in year three or above and has not previously been entitled to free school meals, but you now meet the eligibility criteria as detailed below, you must make an application to the council.
If your child is already receiving free school meals (prior to September 2022) these will be automatically rolled over into the new academic year. We are able to check your eligibility for the additional support without the need for you to reapply.
If you are unable to complete an application online, paper forms are available via freeschoolmeals@newport.gov.uk or 01633 656656.
If your child has a special dietary, medically-diagnosed requirement please complete a medical diet request form, available from your school.
Eligibility criteria
- Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (the annual income must be less than £16,190 for the household)
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- National Asylum Seekers Support Benefit
- Universal Credit up until March 2019;
- From 1 April 2019, Universal Credit, provided the household has an annualised net earned income of no more than £7400 (as assessed by earnings from up to three of the most recent assessment periods).
Note: if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit, you will NOT be eligible for the additional support detailed above.