Dear Parent/Carer,

From the start of the 2026–27 school year, all children whose household receives Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of the household’s income.

This means that if you receive Universal Credit, your child may now be eligible for free school meals even if they did not qualify under the previous income threshold.

Children in households receiving Universal Credit may now qualify for Free School Meals** regardless of household earnings. **

The previous transitional protections that applied to some families ended at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year. Eligibility is now assessed based on your family's current benefit status.

You can apply online Free school meals and extra pupil premium funds for schools - My Account - Coventry City Council - Introduction 

Your Universal Credit claim will need to be verified before free school meals can be provided.

It is important that eligible families apply, as registering for free school meals can also help schools identify pupils who may be entitled to additional support.

Further information is available on the GOV.UK free school meals page.