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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Just at the cut off for free school meals

139 replies

Velveteengreen · 03/07/2024 13:27

We claim UC and are just under the threshold for FSM. Therefore all the holiday clubs and activities that we could access during school holidays, we’ll need to pay for ourselves. which isn’t feasible. We’ll just about be able to afford to feed our DS this summer holiday as it is and we’ll probably end up back in the overdraft.
I so understand there has to be a cut off point, but I can’t help feeling a little envious when friends who do qualify for FSM are talking about sending their DC into holiday camps for the entire 6 weeks for free. Plus a lot of them will get money from councils for food and essentials too. Same as last year.
I’m honestly not trying to upset anybody but I just feel really down and worried about the upcoming holidays.

OP posts:
ruby1957 · 03/07/2024 13:57

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 03/07/2024 13:49

The cut off wage for free school meals is £7400pa. Are you sure you're only just over that?

This suggests that the OP is working part-time only and receiving a lot of UC because of that. Is there not an OH who can contribute?

iamtheblcksheep · 03/07/2024 13:54

If you are struggling on full time hours op and you have been in your job for some time please start looking around for something that will pay better.

iamtheblcksheep · 03/07/2024 13:51

Yep that makes a great society doesn’t it.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 03/07/2024 13:49

The cut off wage for free school meals is £7400pa. Are you sure you're only just over that?

HouseRoadhouse · 03/07/2024 13:49

Velveteengreen · 03/07/2024 13:47

we are both already paying the max into our pensions, I don’t think we can up it

If you are already at the max, can you pause or reduce that over the summer to make ends meet? Not ideal but better than going hungry or only just being able to feed your ds. Sounds really tough and I get why you're frustrated

Velveteengreen · 03/07/2024 13:47

we are both already paying the max into our pensions, I don’t think we can up it

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 03/07/2024 13:46

Like a pp said up your work Pension contributions to put yourself under the threshold.

Hugesunflower · 03/07/2024 13:44

Would taking a week if unpaid parental leave put you in the bracket below?

BobandRobertaSmith · 03/07/2024 13:43

If you claim UC, are you eligible for the 85% childcare costs element that would cover most of the summer holiday camp costs?

ToWonderWhyIBother · 03/07/2024 13:43

The easiest way to do this is to pay a higher % of your pension contributions should you pay into your company pension, you might need to play around with the percentages.

Brainded · 03/07/2024 13:41

how much are you out by? Why not drop a few hours instead?

PandorasBoxers · 03/07/2024 13:39

I don’t know how it works but are you able to do any voluntary salary sacrifice into something like a pension so bring you under?

Velveteengreen · 03/07/2024 13:37

No and no. Unfortunately.

OP posts:
itsjustbiology · 03/07/2024 13:32

Been there OP and its stressful. Any chance either of you could up your hours at work or get help from extended family? No other suggestions sorry.