Free school meals eligibility

[GuerlainHo]

My son is 8 and last year was eligible for free school meals. This year I’m unsure if he is eligible or not.
Last year I was working but as I was an agency worker and my earnings were constantly up and down, but he was entitled.

I am currently NOT working however I possibly may start a new role within the next week or so (interviews commencing) and I’m unsure what that means for my son.

I have read up some information online but I still can’t work out wether is is eligible or not and even if I do start work; I’m not sure my wage would stretch enough to cover school meals, breakfast and after school club and other expenses I have to pay. Would really appreciate some help or guidance how I can be 100% sure of eligibility? I read somewhere the earning threshold is if your earning over circa £7000 per year, then you would have to pay. But that would mean essentially I’m not working as even if I was to work 1/2 days a week, it would earn over that and wouldn’t be entitled but wouldn’t be earning enough to even pay for food let alone meals and so on.
I am a single mother to one child aged 8.
thanks

There are currently two threads on this very topic going, I'll try and link

@mackthepony thank you, that would be really helpful. Really stressing worried about how we will manage this term. Glad to know I’m not alone

I thought once you were eligible you continued to be so until the end of that academic phase even if your circumstances change.

At the moment if your son had fsm last year due to your income then he will be entitled to it for the rest of primary under transitional protection rules.

Really!?!

@dorris44

Oh please let it be so? Thank you for that information. I will confirm with the school that he is still able to receive FSM’s then. That is so helpful. Thank you.

I can sleep tonight 🥹 Been worried sick for the past few weeks about how we will manage.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/700139/Free_school_meals_guidance_Apr18.pdf

I think it’s page 10.
although I am assuming you are in England sorry.

@dorris44

thank you Dorris. I’m in England/ London so I will have a read

I'm pretty certain your eligibility lasts for 7 years, even if circumstances change.

Sorry, I'm confusing the 7 years with the time in primary school. What I mean is I'm pretty sure that once eligible, they get it for the full 7 years of primary school (or fewer years if you applied later).