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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No more free school meal vouchers?

504 replies

dottydotterson · 16/06/2020 10:32

What do you think of the governments decision to end the free school meal vouchers for the summer? Do you agree or not?

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ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:20

Or a period of unpaid leave such a maternity after the 39 weeks of smp for example, that would make wtc change into wtc run on. The amount is the same sometimes people don’t realise it’s not the same thing.

Smallsteps88 · 17/06/2020 23:21

Well yes once you were claiming it why would they check again each year unless you reported a cog.

Because you have to apply every year for FSM.

Here is the eligibility from the website. No mention of run on.

No more free school meal vouchers?
Smallsteps88 · 17/06/2020 23:21

There was no error. Or fraud. Hmm I was eligible.

ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:25

Actually I may owe you an apology @Smallsteps88 it’s just dawned on me that you live in Scotland.

Smallsteps88 · 17/06/2020 23:26

Northern Ireland. Still part of U.K. and part of the FSM programme.

ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:27

Or Norther Ireland posted too soon. Am so sorry it’s different in England and Wales.

ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:29

I assumed it was the same across the Uk , to clarify I thought your claim was an error not fraud. Just that fraud or error would be the only way you could claim on wtc in England and Wakes.

ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:29

*Wales

Helen1990 · 17/06/2020 23:29

I thought there had been a u turn on this and people can and will get free school meal vouchers. It was announced yesterday because of markus rashford's campaign. The government done a complete U turn on this

ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:30

Yes there has.

ToothFairyNemesis · 17/06/2020 23:32

@Smallsteps88 I apologise for being so England centric on a U.K. based forum.

Smallsteps88 · 17/06/2020 23:43

No problem toothfairy. At least now you know there are differences!

amispeakingenglish · 18/06/2020 00:02

garino Tue 16-Jun-20 10:43:01
Surely anyone getting free school meals would already be getting tax credits and child benefit? Can these be used to pay towards food?

This is a painfully ignorant comment. Obviously you have never been on any sort of benefit, however there is still time, unless your job is cast iron safe.

peppapigisscottish · 18/06/2020 03:30

peppapigisscottish it's not wrong, the criteria specifically says you only get them if you receive child tax credits only. You don't get them if you receive working tax credits. Do you receive any other benefits that mean you qualify?

I get wtc, child benefit and nothing else. My children get free school meals. You are not understanding the criteria, either that or you are accusing me of lying or fraud.

wildchild554 · 18/06/2020 04:10

It's the fact grocery prices have gone up, people with a wage has had a reduction in pay, and people are unable to shop in cheaper shops or shop around like they would normally to cut their weekly spend. For instance I was looking for mopheads, £1.75 for one in asda and £1 for 2 in poundland so eitther a case of don't buy and go without or pay nearly 4x what I normally would. Perhaps people think cleaning is not essential but I do. And yes if I was healthy I could go on my hands and knees cleaning but I'm not. Also paying nearly 4x our usual amount for cheese because can't go to our usual discount shop due to shielding. Then on top of that the delivery charges. Paracetamol has doubled in price for us as am on them daily thats and extra £7.50 a month and same for ibuprofen. It all adds up. I think Wales and Scotland I think they are still issueing them over the holidays and it may yet change for England. I must admit the school meal vouchers has been really helpful for us to help cover the extra costs. Kids usually get packed lunches for school due to food allergies but are registered for free school dinners but was really nice to be able to access it when we need it the most.

wildchild554 · 18/06/2020 04:12

oh and we get working tax credit and child tax credit and child benefit so saying they don't qualify with working tax credit isn't true, it depends on income.

Petlover9 · 18/06/2020 04:31

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

What I meant to convey was the DWP have a list of essentials, food, certain clothing etc. Even 20 years ago TV Rental & Licence was Not on it. They somehow calculate what it costs to feed a child and adult and used to base their benefits on that. Social Services should live up to their name and be there for local people

Forgottenwhatsleepis · 18/06/2020 08:11

FSM isn't just for parents on benefits, it's for low income families as well, such as those in MW jobs. In previous years, those working parents would probably have childcare through grandparents, family members or friends, ensuring their child/ren eat. That obviously can't happen this year because of the pandemic, and many may have lost their jobs, so I do think the vouchers should be issued this year in these circumstances

Gothicashoker · 18/06/2020 08:14

100 over the year not per month @Orangeblossom78

Parker231 · 18/06/2020 08:18

Government are now spending £900,000 on repainting their plane. No one should ever feel guilty of receiving fsm.

Malbecblooms · 18/06/2020 08:22

There is some hyperbolic nonsense going on. None of us want children to starve. Not that I think starvation was on the cards anyway.

I think those of us that aren't in favour of it are simple saying people need to take more responsibility. multiple children from multiple relationships, parents that either don't work or work in low paid jobs that are surprised that feeding 3/ 4 children are expensive. Most high income families would find the cost of multiple children expensive so why do it if you don't have the security of a house, savings, mortgage insurance etc?

The answer is because someone else will give you a house with cheap rent, and then some money and then extra money to feed the children.

We can't let children go hungry or be fed sodding nuggets and chips (which just makes me physically angry that people feed children this way) but we need to address the problems behind it not just stick a plaster on it.

People on here keep saying it could happen to anyone.. yes and no. You mitigate the risk, don't start a family until you have been married a while so your relationship is more likely to survive, have secure living arrangements, a regular income etc.

We need to do more to support people's life choices, help them create decent lives for their children not just throw money at it with no solutions. It just perpetuates the cycle.

Parker231 · 18/06/2020 08:42

A secure relationship before having DC’s is definitely a plus but doesn’t take into account fathers leaving and not supporting their DC’s, redundancy, illnesses and a financial down turn. Many jobs are at minimum wage do how do you think people would have savings and mortgage protection?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 18/06/2020 08:54

@Forgottenwhatsleepis free school meals not for families on MW, it's for people who claim unemployment benefits. If you get working tax credits or earn over £7k a year you don't get them. I am a single parent on minimum wage and I am not entitled because I get working tax credits.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 18/06/2020 08:56

@peppapigisscottish look on the gov website, the criteria is there. I also get working tax credits and I am not entitled to FSM for DS.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 18/06/2020 09:00

@peppapigisscottish

This is the criteria. Clearly says you are entitled if you get child tax credits provided you are also NOT entitled working tax credits.

No more free school meal vouchers?
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