Free School Meals and Funding

Free School Meals are available to children whose parents are in receipt of an appropriate benefit. Eligible children receive a nutritious meal every lunchtime, with different options available each day. Children receiving Free School Meals can choose from exactly the same food as those children purchasing a lunch. Applying for Free School Meals has never been easier. Parents can either call 01926 742060 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals and receive an instant decision regarding eligibility. Any information you provide will be treated in absolute confidence. If you receive any of the following benefits then your child may be eligible for Free School Meals:

• Income Support or Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance (but not Contribution Based Job Seeker’s Allowance).
• The Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.
• Child Tax Credit where the family’s annual income as assessed by HMRC is not in excess of £16,190. Please note that families who are also entitled to Working Tax Credit do not qualify for Free School Meals.
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (but not Contribution-Based Employment and Support Allowance).

Many parents do not apply for Free School Meals because they do not realise they qualify. Other parents do not apply because they prefer to make alternative arrangements for their child’s lunch. Schools can still benefit though if a child is eligible for Free School Meals, even if they do not take up their entitlement. Every child entitled to Free School Meals means an extra £1,300 for the school which we can use to address inequality.
If your child does not currently receive Free School Meals but you think that you might qualify then please do apply using one of the methods shown above. In this case, there really is such a thing as a free lunch! Even when all infant children are entitled to a school meal in September, it is important to let Warwickshire know if you qualify for this, as there is funding available to support children’s learning.