Not to qualify for free school meals?

[Snowdays23]

Hi everyone
I earn approx £11500 a year and dont qualify because I get working tax credits.
Is this right?

Correct? Yes. Right? No. But free school meals should be universal, imo.

Forgot to add my school isnt listed on the gov site.
Seems so unfair

Yes that's right. The limit is VERY low

That’s how it is unfortunately. I was in the same boat when my kids were small. You have to be completely out of work to qualify.

That's correct - your income is too high to qualify, it's a maximum of £7,400pa.

Ok thanks for clarifying!

If your child is in Reception, year 1 or year 2, then will get a provided lunch. I know this isn't the same as Free School Meals status, but it may help a little.

The threshold used to be around £15k if you got tax credits but it’s gone down to £7400 which is stupidly low

Why? I don’t think other people should pay to feed my children when I can easily afford to feed them myself. And I don’t think I should be paying for the food for other, more wealthy families children.
I DO think that the threshold for free school meals should be much higher than it is.

Presumably you've been feeding them lunch up to going to school?

Similar situation and paying £1200 private rental...
Funnily enough someone I know doesn't work at all so gets it - she lives in a house she bought outright (no mortgage) worth a few hundred thousand! 🤷‍♀️

Yes I know someone similar too

Because it would pay for itself in benefits if done well. Because it's not about you. Because it reduces stigma.

All the arguments for KS1 kids apply to all kids.

The food in my nieces school is utterly shite and small portions, she's 10. Plus she won't eat anything on certain days (menu choice aren't great for her particular tastes)

So she has packed lunches as a result.

Why? I don’t think other people should pay to feed my children when I can easily afford to feed them myself. And I don’t think I should be paying for the food for other, more wealthy families children.
I DO think that the threshold for free school meals should be much higher than it is.

Dc in London primaries get it free, it’s universal

I hate doing packed lunches but DD has also said portions are so small and I pay £2.50 per lunch and she choses what she wants each week.
But packed lunches are cheaper but I never know what to pack. She likes a wrap of some sort or tuna pasta. Plus fruit yogurt and a treat and then I pack a snack too but always run out of ideas.

Helpful.

Well, I'm just wondering why people suddenly want the schools/government to feed their kids 5 meals, when they've been able to do it before? I'm genuinely confused.

Why do you need lots of ideas?
Wraps or pasta with fruit, yoghurt and a treat is fine...? It's what most people have most days for their packed lunches.