Free School Meals

Dear Parents/carers,

You may be aware that students from families who meet certain criteria may be eligible for Free School Meals and/or Pupil Premium funding. 

Eligibility

You can get Free School Meals for your child if you or your partner gets either: 

• Universal Credit.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of £16,190 or less, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

From 13 April 2022 the government have permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds.

Parents and carers with pupils aged 16-18 in Further Education can also apply for free school meals.

Where a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are entitled to free school lunches. Children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right are also eligible to receive Free School Meals.

How to Apply

We encourage all parents to find out if their child/children can get free school meals by visiting Coventry City Council’s Free School Meals Page. This webpage includes information on the eligibility criteria and application process.

Coventry City Council’s Free School Meal team are available to support Monday to Friday 11am – 2pm.

Address: Broadgate House
Broadgate
Coventry
CV1 1FS

024 7683 3773freeschoolmeals@coventry.gov.uk

If your child does not have Free School Meals, but may be eligible because of your family’s income level, please still register them. Even if you do not wish them to have the meals, this would mean the school could still claim Pupil Premium funding that may be used to help your child in other ways.