To wonder how this person qualified for free school meals

[Sectionsofintercost]

Someone at work bought a house which is being extended before they move in, the pandemic has put the brakes on the moving in but she shares photos of what's being done to the house.

It was purchased over a year ago in order for them to get their child into the secondary school catchment.

I'm not sure where exactly they live now, if they're renting or own that house as well.

A few months ago she let slip that her daughter in yr7 is on free school meals. It's likely that her husband lost income due to the pandemic, he's self employed. I can see that would have impacted on their finances
I get full housing benefit but don't qualify for free school meals.

I am happy to pay for my DCs food at school as there are others much worse off than me but I would love to be able to afford the long term security of owning my own home. I think something dodgy must be going on.

It seems crazy that a free meals award is open ended.

I do agree with this part. So many of the 'rules' make no bloody sense. But thats not the people who claims fault, they are doing nothing wrong unless they are actively lying to get them..in which case they will be caught for fraud at sometime or another and made to pay it all back. Some of the loopholes and stuff are really crazy when you have some people who are told they cannot get ANY UC (inc housing benefit part) at all, as they have 1k a month coming in from maintenence that they live on.

@FamilyOfAliens

Our school actually actively asks parents, even those who have packed lunches, to try applying. As apparently even if not used, the school can get more funding that way? Not sure how true that is, and it sounds the schools messing around with numbers somewhat, but given how underfunded they are and how much money seems to be pulled from thin air once the government want is, I cannot begrudge them potentially playing they system a bit to get the help they clearly need. That they even have to consider doing that, is shocking in itself really.

It is true and it isn’t “playing the system”.

Children who are on FSM or have been in the past 6 years (“Ever6”) attract pupil premium, an amount of money paid every year by the government to the school for that pupil while they are attending.

When Universal FSM came in for infants, the school had to actively ask parents if they would be eligible - not many wanted to divulge their financial situation just so the school could get more money, but with school budgets pared down to the bone now, every penny counts.

I didn't mean to slag the school off there by saying potentially playing the system..but even if they were I would be more concerned that they have to do that to get the funding they need, than them actually doing it igf that makes sense.

Happy to be crrected though. Don't know too much about that side of things as..well theres no reason for me to know as the schools hardly likely to ask me for advice and have never ran a school so wouldn;t know from experience either!

I am happy to pay for my DCs food at school as there are others much worse off than me
That's great. You can afford to do that. You have that choice. And apparently needed to virtue signal. Your medal's in the post. But you have literally no idea what this woman at work is going through, what money she has, you don't even know if she rents or owns a house. And you're trying to take food out of her children's mouths? Leave her alone. Jealousy really isn't a good look.

Happy to be crrected though. Don't know too much about that side of things as..well theres no reason for me to know as the schools hardly likely to ask me for advice and have never ran a school so wouldn;t know from experience either!

All the information is on the government’s website.

@Sectionsofintercost

Free school meals are for people on extremely low income and evidence has to be provided. It is not a limited pot that if this lady takes it, someone else is deprived. She is entitled because their family income is low and they need help to feed their child.

Yes, you are right, they must be entitled. Maybe they have generous relatives who helped them buy the house to get their DCs into the oversubscribed secondary school and they are also funding the upgrade of the house.

For someone saying they aren’t envious this statement shows you are, or at least far too invested in someone else’s life

Yabu. None of your business. However, FSM include children on the Eversix list, so if the family went through a difficult financial period in the past 6 years, she is still entitled to FSM. Far more people are eligible for FSM than realise or apply. If you’re on full housing benefit, I’m pretty sure you qualify if you don’t have a partner earning above the threshold amount. Apply!

I've not the whole thread so not sure if this has been picked up on, but if you are going to stick your nose into other people's business, at least get your facts correct first.

You obviously don't claim UC and have no idea what you are talking about, if my wage varies then the UC varies, If I work extra hours the UC payment alters. It's never the same each month.

You sound very jealous, it's not your concern or business as to why she gets FSM, if you think you could be entitled just apply and see. Little comments about taking a space away from another child just make you look petty. She's getting them and they aren't the easiest to get and you aren't entitled to know the reason

@jessstan1

This is a horrible thread. I can't believe the op started it, showing how resentful she is. The husband is no longer earning, does she want the child to go without?

I've said before and I'll say again, never discuss personal finances with anyone, there are so many nosy, jealous people about.

Absolutely This is why I have become rather guarded about my life I don’t know how others will interpret or misinterpret what I have told them. MN has taught me that some people don’t wish others well

Oh OP.
Just mind your business.

@Sectionsofintercost

*It's weird how people here are telling the op to mind her business but were up in arms in a recent thread about someone's friend taking the hump with them as their husband got an extra job while furloughed. Telling the OP no wonder her friends fallen out with her as it's immoral etc yet here folk are self employed choosing the take a tiny wage etc can get round loopholes in the system and that's ok. hmm*

Mumsnet double standards for you..

I don't think it is the same sort of issue at all and the thread about husband being on furlough and working was started by his wife, asking for opinions, not someone else gossiping/sniping about another person. She had many opinions, some thought it was wrong, others didn't.

The opinion is pretty unanimous on this thread.

Perhaps it is a looked after or fostered child?

Can’t believe what I’m reading, again on here!
The reason FSM runs on for 6 years even once earnings are more is because it has been RESEARCHED that this is the time it takes for families and children to recover and for the gap to close after being on such a low income!