Free School Meals

This service is statutory for Community, Voluntary Aided & Foundation Schools in Enfield

The Pupil Benefits Team determines entitlement of free school meals for children attending full time education.

Parents are required to make an application which includes a request for the applicant’s national insurance number. Parents are not required to provide documentary evidence of the benefit they receive but must sign a declaration on the completed form. Enfield has access to a secure Eligibility Checking System that holds data from the Department for Work and Pensions, Home Office and HM Revenue and Customs.

On receipt of the completed application, the Pupil Benefits Team will use the DfE’s Eligibility Checking System to determine a family’s entitlement to free school meals.

If a family does not receive a qualifying benefit, the Pupil Benefits Team will confirm this with the parent and alert the school by secure file transfer detailing this. Once determined, families have a continuous entitlement to free school meals but are obliged to inform the school or Pupil Benefits Team of any change to their benefits. The Pupil Support Team will carry out termly checks on the Eligibility Checking System and will write to parents only if a negative return is received. Cancellation reports will be sent to schools by secure file transfer. For those who apply and are not entitled, parents will be advised of this.

The Team provides advice and guidance to schools and parents on the procedure on application and qualifying benefits. FSM entitlement reports are provided to all schools at the beginning of the year. However, entitlement reports can be provided on request at any time.

This service is statutory for Community, Voluntary Aided & Foundation Schools in Enfield