free school meals

lucie1973

karenx where did you get the letter from stating that you are entitled to free school meals, my income is around £8000, i live in london

karenx

DX2 wrote: »

The free school meals rules is exactly the same whether you are in Scotland/England/Wales.

Karenx aren't you on maternity leave at the moment? maybe that would be the reason you get it just now.

Yes I am on maternity leave but I still get WTC. I had my baby after my oldest started school term, so being on maternity leave has nothing to do with it whatsoever.

karenx

lucie1973 wrote: »

karenx where did you get the letter from stating that you are entitled to free school meals, my income is around £8000, i live in london

The letter is from the grants department of the local council, it states my son is entitled to free school meals and I was to take it into the school to show them so they know

DX2

karenx wrote: »

Yes I am on maternity leave but I still get WTC. I had my baby after my oldest started school term, so being on maternity leave has nothing to do with it whatsoever.

Is your income including tax credits less £16,040

DX2

First one googles spits out.
Who is eligible for Free School Meals?


You can claim free school meals for your child(ren) if you are receiving:

• Income Support (IS)
• Income based Job Seeker's Allowance (IBJSA)
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,040 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs)
• Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Working Tax Credit (WTC) and your income is less than £6,420 (as assessed by the Inland Revenue)
• If you are between 16 and 18 years old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school meals for yourself.
• You may also be eligible if you are an asylum seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

http://www.pkc.gov.uk/Education+and+learning/Schools/Schools+-+grants+and+benefits/School+Meals.htm

karenx

I think they have added that part in as last year I didnt qualify but this year I do!

DX2

Free School Meals, Health
Benefits, etc.

If you are on IS, income-based Jobseeker’s
Allowance (ibJSA), or receiving CTC
while working less than 16 hours per week
and earning less than £16,040, you can
claim for free school meals. If you are on
IS or are pregnant you can get free
prescriptions, help with costs of dental
treatment, glasses and a refund of fares
for attending hospital for treatment. Fill in
form HC11 from Jobcentre Plus, dentist,
optician or hospital. Ask at the local
Education Department about school
clothing grants and other help. Those
receiving CTC/Working Tax Credit (WTC)
will receive these benefits if their annual
income is below £15,050 (2008-09 rate).

http://www.opfs.org.uk/files/pubs/rg_200905_money.pdf

lucie1973

thanks for your replies, i will go into the school office today and ask for a form as it looks like they have changed the circumstances in which you can claim, so i may now be eligable.

DX2

DX2 wrote: »

The free school meals rules is exactly the same whether you are in Scotland/England/Wales.

Karenx aren't you on maternity leave at the moment? maybe that would be the reason you get it just now.

:rolleyes:Apparently not! Seems Scotland has a little difference with free school meals to England.

michellen34

I'm confused, i have recently started working, 16 hours per week with CTC and WTC 3 children, minimum wage, am i entitled to free school meals? my youngest is 4 he has school meals, but my older 2 are at high school 11 and 14 and they have 2 school meals a week and 3 packed lunches, £1.10 just for a bottle of water is ridiculous plus whatever they want for lunch, around 3 pounds per day plus, each, would be a massive help