Refused free school meals

tazwhoever

If OP gets housing benefit then she should get free school meals.

HappyMJ

tazwhoever wrote: »

If OP gets housing benefit then she should get free school meals.

That's not the qualifying criteria.

You can claim housing benefit whilst being in receipt of working tax credits.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

bloolagoon wrote: »

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.

It's 6th form college (she is 16).

I realise (now) I probably won't get the free meals, and I also know it isn't that big a deal in the great scheme of things... but I am still unhappy at the information given.

They told me I had to prove 3 things, I went to a lot of trouble to get the information but I believe I have now proved those 3 things, and they have chosen to move the goalposts.

I think I am already dealing directly with the college. I did the initial application via the college website and now the emails come from an 'ac.uk' email address.

jfdi

I believe Council Tax Relief, seeing as it's a means tested benefit, may help you claim free school meals?

bloolagoon

*Rainbow*Warrior* wrote: »

It's 6th form college (she is 16).

I realise (now) I probably won't get the free meals, and I also know it isn't that big a deal in the great scheme of things... but I am still unhappy at the information given.

They told me I had to prove 3 things, I went to a lot of trouble to get the information but I believe I have now proved those 3 things, and they have chosen to move the goalposts.

I think I am already dealing directly with the college. I did the initial application via the college website and now the emails come from an 'ac.uk' email address.

Ok that makes sense, so instead of asking for meals if that is their policy (which I would challenge) ask for hardship payments towards the cost of the course. Some will offer bursary instead. They should have a finance type officer you can meet with.

HappyMJ

jfdi wrote: »

I believe Council Tax Relief, seeing as it's a means tested benefit, may help you claim free school meals?

No just the 3 things OP mentioned. You could be self employed working 40 hours a week earning under around £80 a week profit claiming full working tax credit and claiming full Council Tax Reduction. Such a persons child would not get free school meals.

You must be earning less than £16k, on child tax credits and not working enough hours to get working tax credits. For some reason they've used the OP's figures from last year which may be how that particular college calculates who is or is not entitled to free school meals.

alwaysskint96

perhaps because its a college rather than a school

*Rainbow*Warrior*

bloolagoon wrote: »

Ok that makes sense, so instead of asking for meals if that is their policy (which I would challenge) ask for hardship payments towards the cost of the course. Some will offer bursary instead. They should have a finance type officer you can meet with.

Thanks, but the course is free anyway - she is 16 doing A levels.

HappyMJ wrote: »

No just the 3 things OP mentioned. You could be self employed working 40 hours a week earning under around £80 a week profit claiming full working tax credit and claiming full Council Tax Reduction. Such a persons child would not get free school meals.

You must be earning less than £16k, on child tax credits and not working enough hours to get working tax credits. For some reason they've used the OP's figures from last year which may be how that particular college calculates who is or is not entitled to free school meals.

The initial rejection email said they look at last years figures (which she had not mentioned before when she asked me to get the info to prove we don't receive wtc). Then I replied to challenge it and got a second email from someone else who said we don't qualify because the regulation states you must be receiving child tax credit and 'are not entitled to wtc' (present tense). There was no mention in the second email of looking at last years income.

I've raised a formal complaint so will see what reply I get next.

merlin68

This is the qualifying criteria
https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
Never heard of it being done on last years income as otherwise mine wouldn't have got it.

Tiddlywinks

There's still the elephant in the room...

If you need to feed your child and can't afford it - and your husband has stopped looking and applying for work - then you need to increase your income and fast.

I know it isn't easy but that's the reality - just 'preparing' for some pie in the sky possible opportunity can be done at the weekends or in the evenings.... your OH needs to spend every effort on finding something that pays now.... or you need to take on extra work.