Free school meals Edinburgh: if children are still entitled to school dinners while off - and how to claim payment

With most pupils now forced to stay at home, it means many children will be missing out on their regular free school meals.

In Scotland, every child who attends a local council school is eligible to get a free school lunch in primary 1, 2 and 3, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

Some children who are in funded childcare before they start school, such as early learning, can also receive free school meals.

But what happens now that schools are closed?

Who can get free school meals?

Pupils in primary 1, 2 and 3 are automatically entitled to free school meals, and some children are still eligible to receive them after primary 3.

Your child is entitled to a free school lunch after primary 3 if you receive:

- Universal Credit (where your monthly income does not exceed £610)

- Income Support

- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance

- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance

- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

- Child Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,105

- Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, and an income of up to £6,900

If you are not receiving benefits or tax credit, your child might still be entitled to free school meals if you are experiencing financial hardship.

This could be because your immigration status means you can not get help from the government, or you are still waiting on your first Universal Credit notice.

Can I still get free meals while schools are closed?

Children who normally get free school meals will still receive them, even while schools are currently closed.

Edinburgh Council has issued more than 5,700 payments to families to meet the cost of free school meals due to closures.

Families who would usually get a free school meal will receive a letter from the council to confirm the issue of a payment to support this.

Edinburgh Council is also writing to families of children in P4 to S6 who received school meals, but not a clothing grant, to get details to arrange payment. Parents should receive a letter within the next week.

The council has also provided additional funding to help support families with children receiving free school meals through the Easter holidays.

Council leader Adam McVey said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to ensure young people who receive free school meals will continue to be supported with this payment.

“We’ve also given additional funding to help support families with children receiving free schools meals throughout the Easter holidays.”

For more information on payments for free school meals, visit the council website.