Thousands of pupils newly entitled to free dinners from next month risk missing out because their parents are unaware of the change, a charity has warned.
The Child Poverty Action Group (Cpag) has urged the Government to do more to ensure families are informed about the policy shift.
Originally announced last June, the widened criteria take effect in September and are expected to make over half a million additional pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSMs).
The reform means all households claiming universal credit (UC), above the existing £7,400 cap, will qualify.
According to previous statements from the Government, the change could save families up to £495 a year per child on lunch costs.
The expansion is projected by the Government to lift around 100,000 children out of poverty before the end of this Parliament.
However, Cpag research indicates that more than half of affected parents do not realise their children qualify, raising concerns that the support will go underused at a critical time for families.
Cpag’s small survey, carried out online by pollster Survation between June and early August, found that of the 201 parents in England on UC credit whose children are currently ineligible but will qualify from next month, 55% were unaware they will be affected by the change.
The charity said it should be the Government, rather than “hard-pressed schools and local authorities”, identifying and informing newly eligible families, insisting that departments have the “data and the means of informing parents and must utilise these to make sure that all eligible parents know that they qualify and know what they need to do to register”.
Cpag’s head of education policy Kate Anstey said: “Our survey shows wider eligibility for free school meals will give hard-up families some badly-needed breathing space.
“But September is only weeks away and our new analysis shows the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and DfE (Department for Education) have left the job half done. With so many families struggling, it’s on Government to ensure the country’s children get what little help is available.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said the policy change is “enormously welcome” but that “checking eligibility will create additional barriers and unnecessary workload for schools”.
He said: “We urge the DWP and DfE to use the records at their disposal to directly inform newly eligible families.
“This would ensure they and their children benefit as soon as possible while alleviating the burden on schools and parents.
“This situation could be avoided entirely through the introduction of auto-enrolment for free school meals, something NAHT has long called for.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Families up and down the country are feeling the pressure of the cost of living. That’s why this Government is proud to give free school meals to every child from a household on universal credit, alongside expanding childcare and rolling out free breakfast clubs across the country.
“This is a historic step, backed by over £1 billion, and it means 500,000 more children will benefit.
“We’re working closely with schools and councils to make sure every eligible family knows about it. So if you’re a parent and you’re not sure whether your child qualifies – just ask the school.”
