Although all children in Welsh Primary Schools now qualify for Universal Free School Meals, parents who are entitled to the following (see list below) should also consider applying for Wrexham Council’s means tested Free School Meals scheme which also enables you to access further help with the cost of the school day.
Eligibility for means Tested free school meals
Your child is eligible to receive free school meals (and the subsequent additional support) if you or your child receive the following…
- Income Support (IS)*
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)*
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance (IR)
- Child Tax Credit – providing you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit with an annual total income below the HMRC set limit
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – if you are working you must be earning less than £7,400 per year (£616.67 per month) to qualify for free school meals
- You can apply by using our online application form. Free School Meals
School Essentials Grant
The School Essentials Grant opened on 1 July 2024 and will close on 31 May 2025.
Who is eligible
Families with children in reception to year 11 on lower incomes and get certain benefits can apply for:
- £125 per learner and extra funding for your school
- £200 for learners entering year 7 (to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school) and extra funding for your school
Parents and carers can claim once per child per school year.
Receiving Universal Primary Free School Meals does not automatically entitle your child to the School Essentials Grant:
- Learners must be eligible for means-tested Free School Meals (eFSM).
- Learners who receive free school meals due to transitional protection arrangements do not qualify.
- All children in local authority care qualify for the grant.
We also encourage local authorities to use their discretion to provide the grant to children whose parents or carers are not entitled to public funds.
Receiving the School Essentials Grant will not affect your tax or other benefits.
What the grant is for
The School Essentials Grant can help cover the costs of:
- school uniform, including coats and shoes
- school activities, including learning a musical instrument, sports kit and other equipment for after school activities
- classroom essentials, including pens, pencils and school bags
For further information on eligibility or the application process, please contact the local authority where your child goes to school.