Dear Parent/Carer

The department for education have permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds. Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals if any of the criteria below applies to you:

Eligible groups

These groups include, but may not be limited to children of:

  • Zambrano carers
  • families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
  • families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
  • a subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Chen carers
  • families holding a BN(O) passport
  • spousal visa holders
  • work visa holders
  • student visa holders
  • those with no immigration status

The maximum income threshold differs based on your location and the number of children that your family has.

Income thresholds

Under the permanent extension of free school meal eligibility to all NRPF groups, the annual household income thresholds for those families able to work are:

  • £22,700 for families outside of London with 1 child
  • £26,300 for families outside of London with 2 or more children

In addition to these thresholds, families must hold no more than £16,000 in capital and savings.

How can families demonstrate their NRPF status?

Article 8 of the ECHR - Families will be able to provide a letter from the Home Office granting them leave to remain in the UK or a biometric residence card.

Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - Families will be able to provide a letter from the Home    Office    or    local    authority    confirming    Section    4    support    or    an               ASPEN   card.

BN(O) passport holders -  Families will be able to show either a BN(O) passport or visa.

 

Spouse, work or student visa holders - Families will be able to show their visa.

Zambrano or Chen carers - In many (but not all) cases, the family will be able to show a derivative residence card. If they do not hold this, they must be able to show that:

  • the carer or parent is not a British citizen
  • the child is a British citizen
  • the carer is a direct relative or legal guardian of the child, and they have the primary responsibility for the child
  • there are no other members of the carers’ family in the UK or the EEA who could look after the child

Applying for free school meals with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

If your child is not already entitled to free school meals but you feel they would be eligible based on the information provided above, please apply using the application form, or request an application form from the school office. If you require assistance completing the form please contact the school office on 01429 273790. All completed forms and supporting evidence should be returned to the school office.

Confirming income

Families should complete a self-declaration of their income as part of their application. To verify this, the school will need to see one of the following:

  • payslip
  • P60
  • bank statement
  • letter from their bank
  • letter from their employer
  • letter from the local authority confirming support if applicable

 

Yours faithfully
Mrs C Hogarth
Head of School