We will send the details about yourself that you give us, and a check will be carried out against the Government's information. If you are receiving a Qualifying benefit, then we will receive a "Match" indicator. This confirms that a person with your details is receiving one of the Qualifying Benefits. It will not confirm which one, or say how much you receive.

If there is no match, we will receive a "No Match" response. This could mean any of the following:

• It may be that the data we have is incomplete, or incorrect
• It may be that the system has not yet been updated to include your record
• It may be that the system has been updated, but the information from the Agency is not complete (Child Tax Credit can be paid "pending" the completion of HMRC checking their data - until it's checked, there is nothing to match against)

Or it could be that you are not receiving one of the Benefits that qualifies for free school meals.

If we receive a "No Match" response, we will contact you to ask for further information. We may need to ask that you contact the relevant benefits agency to ask them for a letter of confirmation about your receipt of the benefit.

No need for annual renewals

We will, from time to time, re-submit all "Match" checks. This is to confirm you continue to receive a qualifying benefit.

If we receive a further "Match" response, the free school meals award for your child will simply remain in place until your child leaves Dorset Schools, or until we are advised of a change in your benefit status at a later date.

If we receive a "No Match" response, we will contact you to find out whether there has indeed been a change. If there has, and you are unable to confirm continued receipt of a qualifying benefit, then we will end the free school meals award.

You would then need to re-apply if your circumstances change, and you start to receive a qualifying benefit again.