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free school meals but not with working tax, why?
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couple B are already earning 4K less than couple A, even if they got £37 p/w WTC they still have less of an income than couple A without taking into account the cost of meals
Couple A 15K + £1560 (free meals for 4 children x £2 a day x 39 weeks)=£16560
Couple B 11k + £1924 WTC = £12924
Couple B are in effect £3636 per year worse off or £69 p/w
em x
Oops, I read the scenario wrong when answering. Apologies.
Yes, Couple B are worse off - but that is due to their earnings not the amount of money they receive from the state.
Couple B actually receive more money from the state than Couple A.
I'm sure the current amount a 'dinner ticket' is worth these days is around £1.70 so Couple A would get £1326 worth of free school meals (4 kids x £1.70 x 5 days x 39 weeks). Even at £2 per meal it works out at £1560.
Couple B get over £1900 WTC.
With the scenarios it still shows that Couple A are better off because they earn a bit more but there isn't anything in the rules that stops couple B earning more. If both couples earned above the limit for free school meals it would mean that neither has any entitlement to the free school meals. And Couple B may then be better off as they would receive a small amount of WTC.
At the end of the day there are rules for all benefits and entitlements. Not everyone is going to be happy with them.0 -
It only works if you get income based jsa, which you wouldn't get as you are working.
Oh, sorry. I am not sure how it works to be honest just saw that hubby was not working so many he was getting JSA. A couple of years back my husband lost his job as he got an industrial illness and he got JSA almost straightaway and then I was awarded WTC - it came to me and not him and he got the JSA, although I was working for myself my income was 0.00. I just assumed that this was how it worked and so maybe the OP's husband could claim the free school meals as he was in receipt of it.
It was just a thought really, I did not realise that you could get Job Seekers Allowance that was income based. Not being rude or OT but how does that work? That you can only claim it if you are earning up to/over a certain amount? I know the contributions based is what he got because had paid enough in. I never thought about that until now. How much more confusing can they make things. I am still reading this in astonishment that someone on WTC cannot get Free School Meals, why do they not make it means tested on total income for heavens sake??
We are on a higher rate CTC and my DD is going to get either free or reduced rate music lessons - the website said reduced rate but the letter has come and it says 'Music Lessons' so I'll wait and see what the school say.0 -
blue_monkey wrote: »Oh, sorry. I am not sure how it works to be honest just saw that hubby was not working so many he was getting JSA. A couple of years back my husband lost his job as he got an industrial illness and he got JSA almost straightaway and then I was awarded WTC - it came to me and not him and he got the JSA, although I was working for myself my income was 0.00. I just assumed that this was how it worked and so maybe the OP's husband could claim the free school meals as he was in receipt of it.
It was just a thought really, I did not realise that you could get Job Seekers Allowance that was income based. Not being rude or OT but how does that work? That you can only claim it if you are earning up to/over a certain amount? I know the contributions based is what he got because had paid enough in. I never thought about that until now. How much more confusing can they make things. I am still reading this in astonishment that someone on WTC cannot get Free School Meals, why do they not make it means tested on total income for heavens sake??
We are on a higher rate CTC and my DD is going to get either free or reduced rate music lessons - the website said reduced rate but the letter has come and it says 'Music Lessons' so I'll wait and see what the school say.
thats what i'm saying, how can they give an upper limit but not give it to those who are under just because they work more than 16 hrs a week.surely if you earn less than 16k per year you should be entitled.sorry for the rant just very very frustrated at the benefit system.Em xem x
Proud to be dealing with my debts0 -
Em, do not apologise, this is why this forum is here. x0
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Snakeeyes21 wrote: »Give them a slice of buttered bread, a bottle of water and a pack of tesco value crisps, thats what i used to get, if they moan give them a slap (i also got those) and say people are starving in africa.
Water will be provided free by the school - so a saving can be made there :rotfl:0 -
:P lol
I still give my wee one diluted juice, but they have a bottle of water on their desk the entire day, the bottle is given to t hem at the start of the year with there name on it.
It was just frustrating when my DS was in P1 and I had to pay for his meals, also his school has a really good menu, all freshly cooked wiht a good selection of healthy food. For packed lunch now I just give him sandwiches, fruit, juice and a treat. Even if I could get free meals now I'm not sure I would send him, as you need to remind him to eat and check onhim all the time.0 -
Entitlement per year per week notes Means-tested income entitlements Tax Credits-Initial Tax Credit £547.50 £10.50 Tax Credits £11,355.66 £217.78 Working tax credit and child tax credit. Means-tested bill reductions Council Tax Benefit £378.35 £7.26 Your full Council Tax bill of £23.01 per week will be reduced to £15.75 per week because of your entitlement to Council Tax Benefit. Our calculation is based on you receiving £35.64 from working tax credit and an Income of £182.14 from child tax credit. Total Entitlements £11,734.01 £225.04 weekly Entitlement per year per week notes Means-tested income entitlements Tax Credits-Initial Tax Credit £547.50 £10.50 Tax Credits £9,497.30 £182.14 Child tax credit. JSA £6,444.33 £123.59 Assumes adult-only JSA(IB). The estimate includes an amount for interest payments on your mortgage. For more information see help with housing costs. Means-tested bill reductions Council Tax Benefit £574.30 £11.01 Your full Council Tax bill of £23.01 per week will be reduced to £12.00 per week because of your entitlement to Council Tax Benefit. Our calculation is based on you receiving £182.14 from child tax credit. Total Entitlements £16,515.93 £316.74 weekly The top amount is based on my working 16+ hoursThe bottom is based on same income but 15 hrs.Em(sorry if this comes out looking poo, computer playing up :-( )em x
Proud to be dealing with my debts0 -
no i don't have a slow cooker but that does sound like a great idea ...........................................
skulking off to the o/s board now to get some ideas :rotfl:
thankyou x
Cook more than you need of casseroles and bolognese. In casseroles I put potatoes in as well as meat and veg then its a complete meal. I then freeze the extra portions and it`s amazing how quickly it adds up to several meals. You can also make and freeze hearty soups.0 -
Snakeeyes21 wrote: »Give them a slice of buttered bread, a bottle of water and a pack of tesco value crisps, thats what i used to get, if they moan give them a slap (i also got those) and say people are starving in africa.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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I too think free school means should be income based and not benefit based. The system is flawed!!!Wildly my mind beats against you, yet the soul obeys. :heartpuls
Murphys "No more pies club" member #70
Vivit post funera virtus0
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