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.

Every child doesn't need it.

Why should people on low incomes subsidise the wealthy?

There are quite a lot of reasons behind it.

breakfast club, usually it’s to ensure the child is in school as often their attendance is lower than those not on pupil premium. It also gets a second meal in them that day.

after school club it ensures the child has access to extra curriculars like their peers as being low income it won’t be a priority/possibility for the family.

some children who are on pupil premium are also vulnerable due to their home life so it keeps them in a safe environment for more hours.

Agree. But can I just point out that not every child entitled to FSM comes from an "unstable home".

I know what you mean OP.

I understand the theory behind it. It's supposed to help those who are vulnerable, those who qualify on paper. To be honest I don't think its enough for most genuine people.

But those who are just outside eligibility struggle too but there is no support for them. Just because they are slightly outside of eligibility for FSM.

Maybe the eligibility criteria needs some amendments made to it.

I also think working parents should be offered extra support too. Full time working families struggle too.

I've never benefitted from either, but it's in place because children on FSM are assumed to be vulnerable/in poverty. So, it's for their benefit that they are guaranteed meals and opportunities. It's harsh to begrudge children, even if you are struggling to make ends meet yourself.

^ This
MN has to be so extreme.

@Willyoujustbequiet
If I didn't need it I wouldn't use it, I need it so I can get to work on time so I can pay my bills and have literally no money left after

It's not uk wide though I will get some things free buying can't access it unless I can drive a long way or my child likes football or tennis

As others have said. It’s to give disadvantaged children opportunities. Not all children on FSM are disadvantaged of course, but the LA sees them all as the same.

All people seem to focus on are the parents and their burning resentment towards parents who either don’t work or don’t work enough. And they fail to see the real reason these places for children exist.

I always presumed it was so they got fed.

I do understand why those who can't afford it would feel jealous though, I think it's quite natural.

Unfortunately I think tv/social media has cultivated this image of low income families having a great time but reality is most children of low income families will be having a tough time.

Yes quite. My DC were entitled too FSM did to my income for most of their school lives. Other than not a lot of spare money they have a very stable, happy and loving home life.

It’s because they’re trying to break the cycle and improve the life chances of those dc. But it’s hard to swallow when you’re unable to afford the same so I do get it. I used to remind myself to be grateful I could provide my dc a loving and stable home.

Not every fsm family is dysfunctional but there is a correlation.

This isn't true, it's a horrible right wing dog whistle and it doesn't help anyone. People on the lowest incomes aren't living the high life.

I understand why you are jealous though and think you have every right to be aggrieved. There are lots of families just outside the criteria for support who end up worse off than those who just about qualify. The problem isn't the people receiving the support, the problem is that the budget for these provisions has been slashed to the bone, so the thresholds are in the wrong places.

If you find yourself punching down, you're usually angry at the wrong people.

It is.

I guess it takes a particular mindset to begrudge vulnerable children a hot meal.

Our after school club is 2 thirds full with children entitled to fsm.... it's very popular!

Breakfast club is similiar

Just because kids get fsm doesn’t mean they don’t come from a loving and stable home, wow mumsnet at its finest

My point was, we have very little , if any spare money. We claim UC and we struggle. We don’t get any help towards housing anyway as we have a mortgage, there’s no way we could afford to fund these clubs for our son, so he is missing out either way. If we cut our hours we’d be eligible. We’re possibly worse off than some of these people claiming FSM as we don’t get any housing money. I’m just feeling sad tonight. Our DS won’t have opportunities either, it sucks.

You're so right. They should just be left to starve

Cut your hours then. You must know some unusual people if they are all on FSM & living a life of luxury! Why don't you cut your hours and see how fun it is being in poverty.

Would you rather poorer children didn't have access to any school/activity clubs? Should they only be accessible for people who are more privileged/affluent?

But I’m not in anyway privileged or affluent, I’m just about getting by each month, with no spare money to speak of.
It is then a hard pill to swallow when someone says to me they’ve booked their child in for the whole week for holiday club while they sit at home and watch daytime TV (this is the truth before anyone jumps at me). Meanwhile I’m struggling to get through the week money wise, including all the snacks etc that my growing son eats.

Honestly OP, begin jealous because poor children are getting fed is not a good look.

The idea of an after school club isn't to feed children, it's for working parents

Can't the children be fed still but not take up all the after school places?

I’m obviously an awful person. But I’m really struggling myself, but because I don’t meet the criteria, I’m just left to manage.

Obviously I don’t want children to starve but it’s not always that extreme.

I'm not sure whether this applies across the UK, however in my local authority, these are the earnings limits to qualify for FSM:

	Universal Credit with a household income of less than £7,400 per year after tax and not including any benefit you receive
	Child Tax Credit, provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190

That really doesn't sound like a life to be jealous of.

There are lots of things available for those on benefits like discounted zoos and memberships and leisure centre for free (in London at least)