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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School keep sending me free school meals vouchers for the school holidays

30 replies

NancyAndLee · 07/06/2023 14:16

But we've not, and never have been, entitled to FSM!

I have emailed them to tell them the mistake, I spoke to class teacher and reception. This was last year. They are still sending them!

How on earth has this mistske come about, surely you have to provide evidence to claim FSM, not just tick a box (in which a mistake could easily be made)? And why haven't school amended their system? Am I actually going to get into some sort of trouble for claiming something I'm not entitled to, despite the fact its the schools mistake?

OP posts:
Weal · 07/06/2023 15:56

Just don’t use them and keep evidence that you informed the school.

It’s not for a young child whose is eligible due to being KS1 is it? Or is there a child will a very similar name?

Purplepepsi · 07/06/2023 16:12

There will be a tick in the wrong box somewhere! Maybe talk to your school business manager? I am sure you won't get into trouble though. Especially if you already told them!

Harringtonperle · 07/06/2023 16:43

I'm work in a school Office. You won't be in trouble, the mistake is theirs. At our school I think it pulls the data from SIMS, they may have ticked the pupil premium indicator box by accident

LizziesTwin · 07/06/2023 16:44

All children in key stage 1 are entitled to free school meals.

TeenDivided · 07/06/2023 16:47

It might not just be FSM.
We got them in Covid because DD qualified for enhanced Pupil premium due to being adopted. I just forwarded them on to another family.

00100001 · 07/06/2023 16:48

Well, the money is spent, a why not just spend the vouchers and put the food in the food bank?

WelshNerd · 07/06/2023 16:49

What country are you in please?

WunWun · 07/06/2023 16:49

Have you used them then?!

WunWun · 07/06/2023 16:50

00100001 · 07/06/2023 16:48

Well, the money is spent, a why not just spend the vouchers and put the food in the food bank?

The money isn't spent. You have to claim the voucher first (my DD gets free school meals).

ScoobyBooby · 07/06/2023 16:59

All children in KS1 are entitled to universal free school meals. Apparently the vouchers are for those who are on benefits (not bashing either) and would be eligible for FSM in KS2 .

ScoobyBooby · 07/06/2023 17:00

Sorry that should have said KS3 . We are not eligible for the vouchers my DD is in year 2

Enigma12 · 07/06/2023 17:12

Our school don’t send them out the local council do so I’d agree it will be a box that’s been mistakenly ticked on sims (or whatever MIS system they use) the council just pull the data off these centrally

DameMargaretofChalfont · 07/06/2023 17:13

@Wunwun The money isn't spent. You have to claim the voucher first (my DD gets free school meals).

This is incorrect.

The school buys the shopping voucher.
Once the school has paid the voucher provider, the school then issues the vouchers to eligible families.

If no-one downloads the voucher the money is lost as payment has already been sent to the provider.

Littledogball · 07/06/2023 17:32

All incorrect. No point telling the teacher, they will know nothing about it. You need to go to the school office. Tell them. They will have administered it on instruction from the council. It's paid for by the council, not the school. If you don't use it, it will be recinded if the school admin do thing's properly. It's not your fault though.

tulippa · 07/06/2023 17:44

Had this with DD at high school during Covid. It took a good couple of emails to get them stopped. School told me to spend the Asda vouchers they'd sent so I did that and put what I'd bought in the food bank collection box on the way out of the shop.

Original poster
NancyAndLee · 07/06/2023 17:46

My child is in KS2.

In reception & KS1 he received universal free school meals.

The vouchers are coming directly from the school and the email says "free school meals" so definitely related to that. I haven't spent them, but not sure if they can see that or not.

OP posts:
Alargeoneplease89 · 07/06/2023 17:47

Just spend them or give them to someone in more need. Any that are not spent are claimed by the company Edenred and paid by the government regardless.

Littledogball · 07/06/2023 17:53

Alargeoneplease89 · 07/06/2023 17:47

Just spend them or give them to someone in more need. Any that are not spent are claimed by the company Edenred and paid by the government regardless.

Nope. Could be either Edenred or wonde. If wonde the school can see if you've used them or not.
This system is about to change in some counties and become more automated, done directly from either company and not sent from the school, so def speak to the school office. They've got you wrong on their system.

Original poster
NancyAndLee · 07/06/2023 17:54

I'm not going to spend them, as that would be fraud surely?

I have emailed the office again.

OP posts:
ohtowinthelottery · 07/06/2023 17:56

Does your child get Pupil Premium for reasons other than income? A PP mentioned adoption and I've heard that 'Forces' children get a PP marker too - but that was a while ago.

Original poster
NancyAndLee · 07/06/2023 17:58

No not adopted or forces, so no pupil premium. He has an EHCP but that is funded differently.

OP posts:
Snuzzle · 07/06/2023 18:16

Has your child been eligible for free school meals(not the universal entitlement) at any point?
Transitional protection means if you claimed school meals at any point since April 2018 you're entitled up to March 2025 or the end of the KS stage they're in at that point.

Original poster
NancyAndLee · 07/06/2023 18:17

No he's never been eligible!

OP posts:
MakesMeFeelSad · 07/06/2023 18:21

Holiday fsm vouchers stopped ages ago in our area

Don't think there's much you can do except keep telling them

Harringtonperle · 07/06/2023 18:25

If its Wonde the school can see if you've claimed them. Email the school office, if they've got any idea what they're doing its an easy fix. Spend them and give the proceeds to the food bank.