Coronavirus Update
Arrangements to provide support for children entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) during the current period of school closure due to COVID-19 vary from school to school. You will need to contact your child(ren)’s school(s) for more information. Please be aware that many schools are working with limited staff and access to email, phone, etc and any issues with the national voucher scheme (Edenred) are beyond their control.
This support is for children who are registered for means-tested Free School Meals (FSM) only and does not include those who receive free meals under the Government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme when schools are open, unless they also have a means-tested FSM claim in place.
If your child already has an FSM claim in place, please do not reapply.
Unfortunately, we cannot help with queries about vouchers.
Please rest assured we are doing all we can to support our residents throughout these times of uncertainty and we thank you all for your patience and understanding.
Please do not submit an application for Free School Meals if your child is not yet in full-time education.
Parents can also apply on behalf of children receiving full-time education at nursery schools and in sixth form. Students attending sixth form colleges and further education colleges may also qualify for free school meals.
Since arrangements for school meals vary across the City, parents are encouraged to apply directly through their child's school or college. Your child's school may already have requested the information they need from you when you registered your child's place. Your eligibility is checked using a secure Government website and your child's school will confirm whether or not you will need to pay for school meals.
If you are entitled to or receiving Working Tax Credit, regardless of your income, you will not qualify for Free School Meals under the Government’s eligibility criteria. If you are receiving Child Tax Credit only, your annual income must be less than £16,190 to qualify.
If your child attends St Peter’s Collegiate school, Northwood Park Primary or Villiers Primary or another school outside Wolverhampton, you will need to apply direct to the school (or their Local Authority), unless your child’s school is named below:
- All Saints’ CE Primary, Trysull
- Bird’s Bush Primary, Tamworth
- Coleridge Primary, Rotherham
- East Dene Primary, Rotherham
- Eastwood Village Primary, Rotherham
- St Benedict Biscop CE Primary, Wombourne
- Stanley Road Primary, Worcester
Who is eligible?
Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- 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 guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018, your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
If your child is eligible for and registered to receive free school meals between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2023, they'll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary / Year 6 or secondary / Year 11) they're in on 31 March 2023.
Apply for free school meals
If you have a current Free School Meal claim you do not need to reapply or renew your application.
If you already have a current free school meals claim, there is no need to reapply or renew your application. Your child's school will contact you only if we are unable to verify your eligibility using the Government's Eligibility Checking System.
To apply for free school meals please contact your child's school. You will need to supply your full name, date of birth and National Insurance or National Asylum Support Service (NASS) reference number.
If you haven't already supplied this information to your child's school, you can download an application form and return it to your child's school.
If you are unable to supply this information to your child's school, you can submit your details online using our Free School Meals Application form, by emailing freeschoolmeals@wolverhampton.gov.uk or by calling the Free School Meals enquiry line on 01902 554128.
What happens next?
If you are found eligible for free school meals, your child's school will confirm the arrangements for your child to receive their meals. If you are not found eligible, your child's school will confirm how much and when you will need to pay for your child's meals.
Universal Infant Free School Meals
Since September 2014, all children in Reception, Years 1 and 2 have been able to enjoy school meals for free. Parents do not need to register to receive these meals, but your child's school may ask if your child will be taking meals so that they can make the necessary arrangements.
For every child that is registered for free school meals, schools receive valuable "Pupil Premium" funding from the Government. Therefore, even if your child chooses not to eat school meals, we would still encourage you to register.
If you have children in junior or secondary school and/or would like to receive additional benefits that may be available at your child's school (e.g. free milk), you must register for free school meals.
School menus
Learn more about the school menus that are available.
Contact us
For more information about free school meals please:
E-mail: freeschoolmeals@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Telephone: 01902 554128
Write:
Jo Smith
Service Development Team Leader
Facilities Management
City of Wolverhampton Council
Hickman Avenue Building
Chillington Fields Industrial Estate
Off Hickman Avenue
Wolverhampton, WV1 2BY
If you have a current FSM claim you do not need to reapply or renew your application.