To ask why do people not working claiming FSM get this for free?

[Sprinkledusting]

I’ve just discovered if you claim FSM and even if you’re not working, you can send your child to morning/after school club for free. And not just in our school either.
There are also sports clubs and holiday clubs during school holidays that state they are free for those who claim FSM. To claim free school meals your income has to be so low that you’re not working full time or not working at all, which of the people I know, most are not.
But those who are working have to pay for breakfast club/holiday clubs.

Can someone explain to me the logic behind this? As I simply don’t understand it.

To help vulnerable children.

It is to give the child opportunities, not to help the parents.

Please don't feel jealous.

It's for children in households that have almost no income other than benefits. It isn't a break for their parents. It is for the children to try to improve their life chances which are considerably worse than those of children with parents with incomes.

The HAF scheme which provides free holiday activities and food for FSM DC is to continue to provide a free school meal during the holidays so they are fed and to give them some healthy activities to do as their family may struggle to afford the extra food and to pay for activities for their DC in the holidays. I've never come across free breakfast club/after-school club but presumably it is for the same reason.

Trust me, if a child is getting free school meals and a free place at childrens club, their home life isn't all that great.

I do feel jealous, because I'm rushing to work every morning dropping dc off at breakfast club, which I get billed for monthly, and recently found out if you get FSN you also get this free 🤯🤯

I really don't understand why you DON'T understand this...

But what about those of us who claim benefits (I am one, so I’m not being snobby about that by any means!) but we don’t qualify for free school meals, however we are still really struggling and can’t afford to do lots of activities with our DS during school hols? Or pay for clubs for him.

Presumably the before and afterschool clubs also provide breakfast and some sandwiches/snacks after school, so can provide meals the children may not have otherwise had access to. Other curricular activities would also provide them with opportunities they may not have access to.

But would you prefer your DC getting that for free if it also meant their life chances would be reduced?

Would you rather those children were at home then? not being fed, or being fed very poor nutrition and not doing any activities?

Is that what you'd rather?

There are children worse off than yours.

If you think state-subsidised childcare should be extended for working parents then I totally agree with you though.

The short answer: If you are so skint that you cannot afford to feed your child lunch, then you're probably not going to be able to afford breakfast for them or to feed them or in the school holidays either.

The long answer: Generally lower income families have poor social mobility and poor engagement with education. So the government do this to try and equal the playing field for the most vulnerable of children. The school also get extra funding for children who receive free school meals. So before you start benefit bashing, take a moment to remember that your child is actually indirectly benefiting from these kids receiving FSM as well.

@SummerDays2020
But I'm struggling with bills, etc, just about getting by, in fact some months I feel like I'm working just to get by, no spare money and this is just another bill

This is not true not the breakfast and after school club anyway as my kids get free school meals and they aren’t entitled to free breakfast and after school clubs at their school! The holiday thing is true but mine couldn’t go as have Sen and they aren’t suitable for them.

@PutMyFootIn

Well the people I know who send their child for free aren’t struggling too much, they don’t want for anything. And have a new toy every week seemingly.

Maybe I am a bit jealous, particularly as our DS is missing out too, particularly in the holidays but despite claiming UC and on low income jobs, we don’t qualify.

I'd rather every child was given it for free.

I sometimes think like this and then I catch myself- because if I really thought that kind of benefit was worth it, I could contrive to jack in work and claim them. But actually working has huge upsides, even if the stress and juggling is hard going. So I try not to focus on what I'm not entitled to, but what I can do to make life easier. Don't always succeed, mind!

I understand what you are saying. And I think there should be more subsidised childcare. But do you manage to feed your DC?

it’s about keeping deprived children engaged with education, making sure they are fed and reducing the effects of possible neglect.

it’s also why some families get their free nursery hours at 2 rather than 3. Children from unstable homes are better off in nursery than in their home environment, and outcomes are better.

it’s about what’s best for the children, not the parents.

I’m not benefit bashing, because I claim them myself!
However, I could never afford to put my DC into one of the holiday clubs, so he’s going to miss out anyway.

There isn't much to understand other than FSM is a benefit for the lowest income children and along with that comes the free clubs. I think that's great.
If you don't need to be on FSM then the assumption is you have a bit more income to send them to the clubs, and also it helps if you need to do this while working a bit later. Kids without working parents may lose out fully on these clubs otherwise, so it's to try and make sure everyone can enjoy it. You never know when you or a family member might need to take this option.

Why on earth would anyone be jealous of vulnerable people who have next to no income?

It beggars belief.

Most have these families have more luxuries than I do, cars, best clothes. It's hard not to be jealous.

I wish every man, woman and child in the world was given everything for free. Wouldn't it be lovely.