This service provides advice and guidance to schools and parents on applying for free meals for pupils.

Our pupil benefits team determines entitlement of free school meals for children attending full time education. When a parent makes an application, the team uses Department for Education's Eligibility Checking System to determine a family's entitlement to free school meals.

Contact

Jo Fear, Head of Service                                      ( 020 8379 5541)                                             *jo.fear@enfield.gov.uk

June Francois                                                       ( 020 8379 3744)                                              *june.francois@enfield.gov.uk

Description of Service

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.

Period of Agreement

The current Service Level Agreements run from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, unless otherwise varied or purchased during the period by agreement

Cost of Service for 2019/20:  Please log in or register your interest

Number of Children on Roll	Annual Charge*
Less than 100
101 – 299
300 – 499
500 -749
750 -1499
1500 or more

* Charges are exclusive of VAT