Free School Meals

cherry123_2

Hi,

Its been a while since I posted anything on here but I have a question.

I have 3 children by a previous partner who is now deceased, I currently live with a new partner. My question is about free shcool meals.

We claim jointly for CTC and WTC we currently get 2.22 per week WTC. My partner works 40 hours and myself 12 hours, but the rules state you must not be receiving working tax credit (which I dont it is recieved by my partner) and have an income under a certain amount, which as the childrens parent i do. Any ideas.

cherry:cool:

kitkatt1982

Hi, in a nut shell unfortunately you only qualify for free school meals if you don't work. Even though wtc is paid to your partner I am assuming that as you live together it is a joint claim and your children are listed as part of this claim? If so, you will not qualify. Completely makes no sense I know, but another stupid rule that needs sorting out!

kitkatt1982

P.S as your partner, they are classed as being financially responsible for tax credit purposes for your children, even though they are not biologically theirs.

cosmic-dust

cherry123 wrote: »

Hi,

Its been a while since I posted anything on here but I have a question.

I have 3 children by a previous partner who is now deceased, I currently live with a new partner. My question is about free shcool meals.

We claim jointly for CTC and WTC we currently get 2.22 per week WTC. My partner works 40 hours and myself 12 hours, but the rules state you must not be receiving working tax credit (which I dont it is recieved by my partner) and have an income under a certain amount, which as the childrens parent i do. Any ideas.

cherry:cool:

You jointly claim WTC, not matter whose purse/wallet it goes into you won't be entitled to claim free school meals.

cosmic-dust

kitkatt1982 wrote: »

Hi, in a nut shell unfortunately you only qualify for free school meals if you don't work. Even though wtc is paid to your partner I am assuming that as you live together it is a joint claim and your children are listed as part of this claim? If so, you will not qualify. Completely makes no sense I know, but another stupid rule that needs sorting out!

I'm missing the stupid rule? Can you please enlighten me to this stupid rules, TIA.

kitkatt1982

I'm sorry, didn't make that point very clear, was referring to the fact that if you are in receipt of means-tested unemployment benefits you are eligible to claim free school meals, but if you work and your earnings are slightly over benefit levels all entitlements such as free school meals are instantly removed. This, I believe, is being addressed by universal credit reform.

Becles

cosmic-dust wrote: »

I'm missing the stupid rule? Can you please enlighten me to this stupid rules, TIA.

It's based on qualifying benefits rather than household income.

Eg: A family with a household income of £12K from a mix of wages and tax credits (including WTC) wouldn't get free school dinners.

Another family with nobody working and collecting £15K in benefits would be entitled to free school meals.

cherry123_2

Thank you for your replies, it maddens me that even when I was a lone parent I still could not access free school meals because I choose to go out to work to support my children.

It has to be one of the most stupid rules going.


But thanks away.

cherry

[Deleted User]

cherry123 wrote: »

Thank you for your replies, it maddens me that even when I was a lone parent I still could not access free school meals because I choose to go out to work to support my children.

It has to be one of the most stupid rules going.


But thanks away.

cherry

I remember when I looked into it (cause all kids from single parent families get free School meals, Free School trips and everything paid for .. right?)

I think the form said if your income is less than 16k you qualified, but then when you read further down if you were in receipt of WFTC you didn't qualify.

But I tell you what made me even madder!!!!

Last year my secretary at work handed me a newspaper article saying low income families could apply for a computer and year's internet access paid for. I downloaded the form started filling it in then realised the magic WFTC wiped out the entitlement :mad:

So I passed the form to my friend who has 2 kids and hasn't worked for over 10 Years.... she was delighted with the £500 PC World voucher she received to buy a shiny new lap top and BT came round to fit the free internet

I couldn't afford a new PC in a million years!

[Deleted User]

Just in case anyone in the Nottingham area qualifies for a free computer, link is here http://www.nottinghamyouth.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9752

cosmic-dust

Deleted_User wrote: »

Just in case anyone in the Nottingham area qualifies for a free computer, link is here http://www.nottinghamyouth.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9752

This scheme ended in June 2010.