Free school meals

[MyLifeNow20]

Hi everyone.
My DD has just gone into yr3 so I am paying for her school dinners. I am a single parent and earn about £11,000 a year. My school doesnt come up on the website so I gave my NI number to the school secretary and she said she has checked and I dont qualify.
Can anyone explain how this works please as I know other people who claim it.
Thanks

This is basically how it works:

pps.lgfl.org.uk/more.aspx

There are a few different eligibility checkers but they all work the same way. I would query why the school didn't ask you to apply when your child joined in reception. I know early years are entitled to universal free school meals but that doesn't count towards any funding for the school. It's to the school's benefit for as many parents at possible to apply. Anyway, if you're not eligible now that's ok, what usually happens is that the checker service will periodically re check eligibility without you needing to reapply.

I think you earn too much to qualify 😢

Based on what?

I think you can apply through your country council website ? They’ll let the school know if you’re eligible.

You earn too much. It's a really low low figure for free school meals.

If you are claiming universal credit I think the cut off is £7400 so you are over the earnings. You can find the qualifying information online.

What do you mean, "based on what?"
She gave us her salary. It is too much for free school meals. Not hard to find that info out.

Go to your local council and double check.

They only notified my DS school on the 11th August. Your local council are suppose to send you a letter which I never recieved and I think they will be lots of people paying for school dinners when they don't need to be!

www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Thank you, yeah I saw the amount you can earn. I was so used to her having 5 cooked meals, I am paying for 3 a week now.
I went onto the county council website and the school didnt come up and said to contact the school which I did and they said I cant apply

If your child’s school is not listed in the dropdown list on the application form, you must contact the school directly to apply for free school meals.

My school isnt listed

According to online info you earn too much. Switch to packed lunches?

I earn less than you and I don't qualify either, I'll have 2 to pay for next year when youngest goes into KS2. As PP said if you earn over £7400 you won't qualify.

Yeah im doing 1 or 2 hot meals and rest packed lunch. Not sure what is finanically best, £2.30 for hot meal

Hope this helps

Thanks. I get child tax credits and working tax credits, dont understand why its child tax credits only

Speak to the head teacher at your school. If you're really struggling they might be able to help

When I was on TC I was told it was because WTC are set at a rate that 'covers' the cost of school meals. So they could change the system to allow for FSM, but you'd get less WTC instead.

A meal is not more nutritious or filling for being hot. If you can do a good packed lunch cheaper, then I’d do that. Mine had cold pasta (tomato and veg sauce) and a banana quite often - definitely less than £2.30! She also went through a phase of a thermos bowl with warm soup and a roll - again, well under £2.30.

Thank you everyone. Lots of good ideas.

Thank you 🙏

I always through the threshold for FSM was £16k. I was quite shocked recently to discover it’s c£7,400.

I think it’s because you claim WTC too.