Free School Meals are you Eligible?

Children of families receiving certain social security benefits are entitled to free school meals. 16 to 18 year-olds receiving these benefits in their own right are also entitled to free school meals.

Hertfordshire residents can now apply online for help with school expenses. For more information please click here

If your child qualifies for free school meals you may like to know more about Extended Opportunities through our school. Click here to find out more.

School clubs and trips

If your child receives free school meals, the school must provide a packed lunch or give your child money to buy a meal if your child goes on a school trip or attends a club/sports practice.

However they may not necessarily be given free snacks or drinks if they attend school clubs (e.g. breakfast clubs, after school clubs etc).

If your family lives in Hertfordshire and has a low income, you may also be able to get help with the following:

Travel costs

A Hertfordshire SaverCard enables a young person aged 11 to 18 to travel by bus for half the adult fare.

A Hertfordshire Student TrainCard enables young people aged 16 to 18 who are attending school sixth form or a Further Education college to purchase discounted season ticket train travel.

The SaverCard and TrainCard both cost £10 but if your family is on a low income you may qualify for them free of charge.

If your family is on a low income you may receive assistance with home to school transport.

Music fees

You may be able to get help with music fees if your child receives instrumental/vocal tuition, either at a local authority school or one of the county council's music centres and your family is on a low income and receives certain benefits. Depending on the benefits you get, you may be able to receive 50% or 100% towards the costs.

Cycle training

If your family is on a low income and receives certain benefits, you may be able to get 50% help with cycle training fees.

You must apply for this help some time in the three months before your child starts school.

Please click here to view some frequently asked questions

If you have any further queries, please contact the Education Benefits Team by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 0300 123 4048.

If at the end of the 4 weeks you are still out of work you should apply for jobseekers allowance (or other benefit appropriate to your circumstances). Once you have applied for a qualifying benefit you may then apply for FSM at www.hertsdirect.org or by calling Customer Service Centre on 01438 737370 or 01923 471370.