Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

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Providing free school meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups

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Sample free school meals application form for NRPF groups

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This guidance will help schools and local authorities to continue providing free school meals to eligible pupils where:

  • the pupil has to stay at home because they and/or wider family members are displaying coronavirus (COVID-19) related symptoms
  • the school is only open for certain groups

Be aware of scam emails

We have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following:‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported.’

We can confirm that this is a scam email and is not official. We urge parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond, and delete it immediately.

Published 19 March 2020
Last updated 15 July 2020 + show all updates

  1. Updated guidance and application form for the temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups. This includes the increase in the income threshold from £16,190 per annum to £31,500 per annum for London and £28,200 for areas outside of London.

  2. Updated application form and guidance on the temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups. This is to reflect the change in annual household income threshold to £16,190 after tax.

  3. We have added Company Shop Group and Iceland, including The Food Warehouse Stores, to the list of supermarkets you can order eGift cards for.

  4. Added further information on the Covid Summer Food Fund, free meals in further education, the final ordering timescales for the national voucher scheme, ordering vouchers in multiples of £5, and an update on school food contracts to include further guidance from the Cabinet Office on Procurement Policy Note 04/20.

  5. Updated information about providing meals for pupils attending school, the national voucher scheme and providing meals or food parcels through your food provider.

  6. Updated information about claiming for additional costs, providing meals or food parcels through your food provider and ordering vouchers to cover multiple weeks.

  7. Added Aldi and McColl’s to the list of supermarkets taking part in the national voucher scheme.

  8. Added a link to the 16 to 19 free meals in further education guidance and information about Aldi joining the national voucher scheme.

  9. Updated information about school food contracts and free school meal eligibility. Added guidance and a sample application form on the temporary extension of free school meals eligibility to NRPF groups.

  10. Added guidance about free school meal support over the Easter holidays.

  11. Added guidance on school food contracts and the national voucher scheme, including how to order. Also added a question and answer section.

  12. Added information for parents about scams.

  13. First published.