FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Changes to free school meals from the 2026 to 2027 academic year 

Expanded entitlement for families on Universal Credit

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings.

Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility:

• Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less (includes free meals and additional support such as pupil premium).
  Other educational entitlements such as the Holiday Activities and Food program (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue to be based on targeted FSM.
• Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400 (free meals only) 

Families with no recourse to public funds may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria. Please contact us directly if this applies.

All pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 will also continue to be entitled to free school meals under the universal infant free school meals policy regardless of family circumstances.

 

End of transitional protections

Since 2018, some children have continued to receive free school meals, even if their family circumstances changed during the rollout of Universal Credit. This is referred to as transitional protections.

Now that entitlement is being expanded to all families on Universal Credit, these protections will end at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

This means:

• Some children may no longer be eligible from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit
• Eligibility will now be based on current benefit status

 

What you need to do

If your child currently receives free school meals:

• In most cases, you do not need to reapply please see the information on the Coventry City Council Website: 

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/benefits-1/free-school-meals

• • Coventry City Council will check your eligibility automatically using the details already held and inform you of any changes to your FSM eligibility

• However, we are advising as a precautionary message that all families reapply using this link:

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/benefits-1/free-school-meals/3

 

If your child does not currently receive free school meals:

• You may now be eligible under the expanded criteria
• You will need to apply through Coventry City Council using this website:

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/benefits-1/free-school-meals/3

 

Not sure?

If you are unsure whether you need to apply or if your circumstances have changed, please contact:

• Coventry City Council – all information can be found on this website https://www.coventry.gov.uk/benefits-1/free-school-meals , or
• FSM@sidneystringeracademy.org.uk 

They will be able to advise and support you.

 

NRPF- Free School Meals

The Government has now extended Free school meal to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), As Coventry Council has confirmed that your child is not eligible for free school

meals but you believe they are, please apply by completing a form available from the Coventry Local Authority Website: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/benefits-1/free-school-meals/3. You can also request one from the school office at reception.

 

Required Documentation:

Income Verification: Please provide evidence of your household income, such as payslips,

employment contracts, or at least six months of bank statements for both parents.

 

 This will help us confirm that your annual household income does not exceed:

o £22,700 for families outside of London with 1 child

o £26,300 for families outside of London with 2 or more children

Savings Verification: Ensure your household capital savings do not exceed £16,000. Include

bank statements for everyone in your household to verify this.

 

Eligibility Criteria: 

Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals if any of the following criteria apply:

• Zambrano carers
• Families with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the
• ECHR
• Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989
• A subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• 1999
• Chen carers
• Families holding a BN(O) passport
• Spousal, work, or student visa holders
• Those with no immigration status

If you do not have proof of immigration status, you can still access Free School Meals for your child through self-declaration to the school. Self-declaration could simply include written confirmation from you of your immigration status. An example of this is: ‘I (name), confirm that I have the following immigration status: (immigration status, e.g., undocumented or spousal visa)’. Families who do not have the legal right to work in the UK are not required to provide evidence of income.

 

Return all completed forms and supporting evidence to the school office or the relevant year lead.