Housing Benefit/Free school meals.

fifi35

Hi, I am about to give up a well paying job after 17yrs and go back to University. I am also running a LTD company that doesn't earn very much at the moment. I am a single mum with a 12yr old. I have worked out that I can get student loans etc but am just wondering if I can get housing benefit towards my interest only mortgage which is approx £700 per month. I have spoken to my local housing benefit office who have been most unhelpful saying I will just have to apply and see.
I think my son will be entitled to free school dinners but am worried that his friends will be able to tell. Does anyone know if free school dinners are discreet or glaringly obvious.

Also will I get a reduction in council tax?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Fifi

seven-day-weekend

Tour Council tax benefit is means-tested but I believe as a f/t student you are exempt from paying it anyway. Others will correct me if I'm wrong.

Housing Benefit only covers rent, as far as I am aware, unless you have been on Income Support for about nine months.

Can't help you with free school dimnners I'm afraid; but your son won't be the only one on them!

Curious_George_2

there will be more kids than you think on free school dinners,
but the money should all go to the office anyway and most kids have no part of that being done (or if they do, they dont generally see all thier mates queued up to pay)
so nobody will be any the wiser....

I dont know about housing benefit entitling you to free school dinners anyway, i have to prove im on income support to the school office about once a term and my HB letter (which states i get it because im on IS) isnt good enough to be used as proof

Penny-Pincher!!

HB doesnt entitle your child to free school dinners. The qualifying benefit for free dinners is Income Support. Even if you were to claim tax credits wouldnt entitle yo to a free school dinner.

HTH
PP
xx

misty

You are entitled to free school meals for your children if you receive:

Income Support
Income based Job Seeker's Allowance
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit, an annual income below £14,495 and no Working Tax Credit.

If you are a full time student living only with dependants than you don't pay council tax (I'm not sure if this is term time only) If you are a couple than you get the 25% discount.