Refused free school meals

tomtontom

Lots of Christmas work available at the moment - retail, warehouse, deliveries, Royal Mail, hospitality. Has he really applied for everything available?

*Rainbow*Warrior*

tomtontom wrote: »

Lots of Christmas work available at the moment - retail, warehouse, deliveries, Royal Mail, hospitality. Has he really applied for everything available?

Do you mean my husband or my daughter? If you mean my husband, he has stopped applying for jobs now as he's hoping to go self employed and get some financial help from some government scheme (don't know what it's called), so he is preparing for that now.

And anyway, if and when he starts work we will suddenly be eligible for working tax credit - the whole point is that the local authority told me if we get working tax credit we do not qualify for free meals, but if we do not receive working tax credit then we do qualify. Right now, we do not qualify for working tax credit but the local authority have suddenly told me that this doesn't matter as they are basing it on last year, not this year.

tomtontom

*Rainbow*Warrior* wrote: »

Do you mean my husband or my daughter? If you mean my husband, he has stopped applying for jobs now as he's hoping to go self employed and get some financial help from some government scheme (don't know what it's called), so he is preparing for that now.

All of you! If you need money now, someone is going to need to increase their income. Self employment that may or may not bring in an income can be pursued when times are more prosperous.

(More income means you won't need to be reliant on the state for free meals.)

kelpie35

Can you not increase your hours?

That might help your financial situation.

Has your daughter applied for any part time work?

That would help her to pay for her lunches etc.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

tomtontom wrote: »

All of you! If you need money now, someone is going to need to increase their income. Self employment that may or may not bring in an income can be pursued when times are more prosperous.

(More income means you won't need to be reliant on the state for free meals.)

Did you ever consider the reason he is looking to go self employed is because he hasn't been able to get a job? This is not our first choice, it's a last resort because he's getting nowhere with job hunting.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

I appreciate those people who are trying to offer help but it does feel a bit like some people are trying to have a go and suggest this is all my own fault anyway and I should just get off my backside and not expect any help from the state.

Well, truth is, not everyone is strong enough to look after themselves all the time. We have a number of issues in the family with stress and depression and are doing our best to drag ourselves back up.

I have paid into the system for 30 odd years, and so has my husband. This is the first time he's been unemployed in 30 years.

I am only asking for clarification on the rules about the free meals and about how to make a complaint to a local authority because it now appears they gave me incorrect information. I do find it upsetting that some people feel the need to post some of the things they do. I am typing this in tears. Like I say, we are not all strong all of the time. Right now I am having problems, and I came on here to ask for help.

Podge52

*Rainbow*Warrior* wrote: »

Did you ever consider the reason he is looking to go self employed is because he hasn't been able to get a job? This is not our first choice, it's a last resort because he's getting nowhere with job hunting.

That won't wash with some of the regular posters on here, they think if you want a job you just go out and get one which does make you wonder why unemployment is so high.

I hope you get yourself sorted soon.

HappyMJ

*Rainbow*Warrior* wrote: »

I appreciate those people who are trying to offer help but it does feel a bit like some people are trying to have a go and suggest this is all my own fault anyway and I should just get off my backside and not expect any help from the state.

Well, truth is, not everyone is strong enough to look after themselves all the time. We have a number of issues in the family with stress and depression and are doing our best to drag ourselves back up.

I have paid into the system for 30 odd years, and so has my husband. This is the first time he's been unemployed in 30 years.

I am only asking for clarification on the rules about the free meals and about how to make a complaint to a local authority because it now appears they gave me incorrect information. I do find it upsetting that some people feel the need to post some of the things they do. I am typing this in tears. Like I say, we are not all strong all of the time. Right now I am having problems, and I came on here to ask for help.

It can be quite distressing posting personal information on here and told to do something you don't want to do.

You're probably not going to get free school meals. I'd give up trying to get them. Even if you did get them what's that going to save you? £5 per week sending a pack up lunch with your daughter. You're just not going to save much. Working just one hour at £6.70 an hour will pay for that. A 4 hour shift for your husband will get you much more as well as working tax credits.

Sorry if the advice I've given is harsh I really don't mean it like that. I wouldn't say it in the same way if I was speaking to you face to face. It would come across much more sensitively.

bloolagoon

Is it college or school?

If school then I think the local authority have it wrong as I've never heard of them using last years figures. If it's college I think some do use last years but you can apply direct to the college instead.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

Podge52 wrote: »

That won't wash with some of the regular posters on here, they think if you want a job you just go out and get one which does make you wonder why unemployment is so high.

I hope you get yourself sorted soon.

Thank you

HappyMJ wrote: »

It can be quite distressing posting personal information on here and told to do something you don't want to do.

You're probably not going to get free school meals. I'd give up trying to get them. Even if you did get them what's that going to save you? £5 per week sending a pack up lunch with your daughter. You're just not going to save much. Working just one hour at £6.70 an hour will pay for that. A 4 hour shift for your husband will get you much more as well as working tax credits.

Sorry if the advice I've given is harsh I really don't mean it like that. I wouldn't say it in the same way if I was speaking to you face to face. It would come across much more sensitively.

Don't worry - my comment wasn't aimed at you