Free School Meals.

redmel1621

Hi

After a bit of clarification if anyone can help please.

Our current situation is, 2 parents, 4 children. Both out of work and currently claiming JSA. This has led to us 'automatically' qualifying for free school meals.

However, I am due to start University in September and during a phonecall (initially unrelated to this question!) to the free school meals dept. I asked them if we will still be entitled to them once i start University, as we will no longer be eligible for JSA. We will still recieve child tax credit and a small amount of Housing benefit though.

The lady I spoke to was quite dismissive and just kept repeating that my loans along with our child tax credits will most likely take us over the 16 100 threshold therefore we won't be. On further investigation (i.e by reading the website for free school meals) It states that income over 16100 AS ASSESSED BY HMRC... To me that reads as - the amount we declare to HMRC for tax credit purposes?

In that case our income will stand at around 2500 pa? and we should therefore continue to be eligible for free school meals..

Below is taken from the website

Do I qualify for free school meals?

You may qualify if you are a parent, guardian or carer and receive one of the following:

• Income Support (IS) or you are a pupil receiving the benefit in your own right
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190.
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

If your circumstances change such as your child changes schools or leaves school, you change your address, you stop receiving any of the above benefits or you commence receiving Working Tax Credit, it’s important that you let us know by contacting the Free School Meals Helpline on 0300 123 7039.

Full link
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=6804



What you think?

princessdon

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_070816


Link to what loans are income - your tax credits are also income.

redmel1621

princessdon wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_070816


Link to what loans are income - your tax credits are also income.

The same doesn't apply to the tax credit calculations, the only loan/grant that is taken as income is the adult dependant grant.

I have read the above, and those guidelines are the reason we will no longer receive JSA and will only receive a small amount of Housing Benefit.... as it does say on there ^^ 'counted as income by jobcentre plus and housing benefit'

Which is why I am confused, she claimed that my whole student income, along with tax credits will be counted, however on the website it says income as used by HMRC i.e the adult dependant grant??

Link to show what is and isn't counted as income by HMRC
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/claiming/income-hours/other-income.htm

Penny-Pincher!!

If you're not on the qualifying benefits of JSA or IS then I don't think you'll be entitled to free school meals.

If your partner finds a job, would you not be able to claim more tax credits?

It'll be cheap to make a packed lunch weekly for the kids.

redmel1621

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

If you're not on the qualifying benefits of JSA or IS then I don't think you'll be entitled to free school meals.

Did you read my first post?

If your partner finds a job, would you not be able to claim more tax credits?
Yes! If he can find one that is over 24hrs.

It'll be cheap to make a packed lunch weekly for the kids.

Yes it is fairly cheap to make packed lunches, however it is even cheaper to get free school meals;)

Thank you for your input:)

princessdon

I don't is the answer - HMRC don't consider loans as income but how that affects FSM I can't answer.

Sorry - not much help. I've always assumed because you lose benefits it would be the same, but that link does appear to contradict it.

redmel1621

princessdon wrote: »

I don't is the answer - HMRC don't consider loans as income but how that affects FSM I can't answer.

Sorry - not much help. I've always assumed because you lose benefits it would be the same, but that link does appear to contradict it.

Thank you for reading:)

gingergee

Id apply anyway, i thought you could still get them, as long as you didnt get WTC? Which you dont??? x

Penny-Pincher!!

redmel1621 wrote: »

Thank you for your input:)

I think you're being sarcastic, but you're welcome:D

I would fill in the form and put in a covering letter explaining what you've said above and see what they say. Ask for written reasons if they refuse so you can argue the point. Have you had your loans approved yet...if so, photocopy and put in with the form highlighting that only a proportion is taken as income.

As you say and what the links state you've provided...if you're under the 16k income threshold without receiving any working tax credits, then you should be okay.

Hay_Maker

I would advise you to apply, the worst that will happen is that they can say 'no'! (but from what you say I don't think they will)

We don't get JSA or WTC and chose not to claim IS but we still get free school meals due to our income (CTC, CA and a small private pension).

redmel1621

Thank you... So it does seem as though we 'should' be entitled.

Penny-Pincher!! - Yes I have had my student loans etc approved and a breakdown has been sent out to me .

We do currently get them, as I say we are on JSA (for another month)... well unless a job materialises, so I just need to hope they don't stop them. The other benefit of receiving free school meals is cheaper school trips, and it is only due to that little perk that my son's were able to go on the last couple.

I will phone back up... I just wanted to see if others read it the same way I do. The lady on the phone was very dismissinve and quite abrupt, so I wanted to have my facts straight before I phone them back again and tell them how to do their job... as is the usual way with anyone dealing with any sort of benefit!

Thank you all