01326 572685

Free School Meals - Information

Everyday over 8,000 students in Cornwall receive free school meals but there are definitely more students who could be eligible.

The easiest and quickest way to apply for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium is online. Please make sure that you have checked the eligibility criteria below before applying.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

If you are unable to apply online, please call the Free School Meals team on 01872 323298. A member of the team will call you back to complete the application over the phone. Please make sure your phone will accept calls from a private / withheld number. 

The Free School Meals team will check your eligibility with HM Revenue and Customs, The Home Office and the Department of Work and Pensions.

They will email or write to you to let you know the outcome of your application. If you are eligible, they will give you the date your child’s free school meals will start. They will also notify the College.

Telephone enquiries - 01872 323298
Email address - schoolmeals@cornwall.gov.uk

Details of the pupils who receive free school meals are always kept completely confidential by both Cornwall's Children's Service Authority and the School.

Who qualifies?

To qualify for free school meals the parent or guardian of the child should be in receipt of one the following qualifying benefits:

  • 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)

If you are claiming the benefits listed below you are not eligible for free school meals. This is regardless of what other benefits/credits are being claimed.

  • Working Tax Credit
  • Contribution-Based Job Seeker's Allowance and/or Contribution-Based Employment and Support Allowance