Blue Light Card Eligibility

[Fiftyfiveandcounting]

I work in school catering but am employed by an external company within the school. Obviously we are necessary staff and worked all through Covid so wondering if we would qualify for the Blue Light Card which now includes teaching and support staff in its discount scheme.
Would appreciate it if anyone knows for sure.

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100% yes

Do you have a school email? It’s likely you will only be validated via a recognised academic address. If you don’t have one you won’t be eligible.

I don't know about school staff, but have you checked your role is on the list? If you qualify, you can send in EITHER a photo of your ID badge, or if you have a work email address, use that.

Edited: I just had a quick look and tried to join as a teacher. You add in your school name and personal details incl personal email. I couldn't actually see anywhere that asked for a work email nor a copy of your work IF badge. Maybe its a different sign up process to other roles now?
teachers.bluelightcard.co.uk/

You only need an ID card or payslip showing job as school cook/kitchen assistant.

No one checks the email addresses.

If you use ID badge you'll be approved quicker.

How does a school cook qualify. I'm looking at the linked list and can't see what category it would come under

It says teacher, not school staff.

I worked all the way through Covid (3x my hours at no more pay) as did a lot of people who rightfully aren't valid for those discounts.

If enough people misuse it though, it'll soon be taken away from all.

From the Blue Light Card website under FAQ.

I had to update my registration last month as my card was due to expire. I had to provide a work email address and then a verification link was sent through.

I wouldn't bother. In my experience they only accept it with an NHS ID anyway.

Ok thank you everyone. I’d seen the faq on the website and wondered if I would qualify as support staff. I’m not sure why I’d be any less likely to qualify than say a Dental Receptionist so I will have a closer look. I’ll let you know how I get on😁

Well, you can try. Let us know how you get on. I've just reapplied for mine. I had to upload a wage slip.

That's not my experience. I'm a social worker with a local authority and a very vague ID badge

Hopefully you'll qualify but I find they have really similar codes to UNIDAYS and student beans if you have kids secondary or primary. Obviously that only works online or if you have them with you. My DH has a blue light card as he is NHS but he doesn't like shopping!

That's not true. PP has added a screen shot of different employers that qualify.

can you get student discount for primary/secondary?

my kids UNiDAYS etc only worked once they were 6th form/uni.

It worked once my kids went to secondary. Had to be done via their school email. A friend tried recently though and she couldn’t register. Maybe it only works if the school has a 6th from?

Blue light card has totally lost its meaning 🤦‍♀️

@Walkingtheplank

That was me.

If you don’t have one you won’t be eligible.

This definitely isn't true.

Blue light card has totally lost its meaning 🤦‍♀️

It's a private company. It started as one thing and now it's evolved into a bigger company. It exists t make a profit.

Yay pleased to say it’s been verified and I qualify, great news with Christmas coming up.