Cornwall Council simplifies process for free school meal eligibility
New automatic system aims to enrol more children without paperwork
Cornwall Council has launched a new initiative aimed at ensuring more eligible children receive free school meals without the need for parents to apply.
The Free School Meals (FSM) Auto Award will automatically check children's eligibility using information the council already holds and enrol those who qualify.
The council will utilise existing data, including information on families currently receiving free meals and those benefiting from Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, to identify eligible children.
Families do not need to take any action initially, as the council will contact those identified through the process to explain next steps.
This change comes before new national eligibility rules from the Department for Education are introduced in September.
Under the new rules, all households receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals, removing the current household income threshold and reviewing eligibility at the beginning of each academic year.
Families identified through the new system, as well as current free meal recipients, will be contacted in July 2026.
They will have the option to opt out of the eligibility check process if desired.
Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Cornwall Council, emphasized the importance of a healthy meal for children's well-being and concentration during school.
Frank said that by simplifying the process, the council is ensuring all eligible children receive the support they are entitled to without unnecessary paperwork.
Parents and carers who are not identified through the Auto Award process or whose circumstances change can still apply through the online Parent Portal.