Free School Meals

Apply for free school meals only

To apply for Universal or Year 3+ free school meals all applications are made online using our free school meals application form.

Whilst completing the form you will need to include the following

• National insurance number
• Correctly select the benefit you are receiving
• Include all children you are making an application for (One application per household)

Make an application for free school meals

Apply for free school meals, Housing Benefits / Council Tax Support under one application

You can:

Claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax support and apply for Free School Meals at the same time

Whilst completing the form you will need to include the following

• National Insurance number
• Correctly select the benefit you are receiving
• Include all children you are making an application for (One application per Household)
• Please ensure you have completed all the relevant information on your application form as this may delay your application from being processed.

Apply for Free School Meals for a No Recourse to Public Funds household

The application process for No Recourse to public funds households is different from the one outlined above.

You will be required to provide a self-declaration to your child's school. 

Please use the sample application form which can be completed and provided to your child’s school. If you require assistance completing your application your child’s school can support, you with this.

As part of the application process, you will need to be able to provide evidence of your No recourse to public funds status and your household income.

Notification of the Free School Meal entitlement

Once the application has been assessed the Local Authority will notify the household in writing or by email. 

School notifications for Free School Meals entitlement

We will tell the school(s) that your child/children are entitled to a free school meal.

Your school has access to an online portal where they can view free school meal eligibility data which is shared by Coventry City Council.