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.

It's my understanding though that parents can be entitled to fsm but then the situation can change so may find work but the eligibility to fsm and all the other things like the clubs continues until the end of the child's key stage? So parents situation much better but the pupil premium continues. Can see in this instance how it would seem pretty unfair to others on a similar wage but getting nothing for free.

Unless it's changed you don't get fsm if you're working a certain amount. Even if it's the lowest amount of hours on the lowest wage.

Pupil Premium however continues thought the primary school years so you may get reduced trips or music lessons but you don't fsm.

Thank you, @TeenLifeMum. I've also worked with kids in that situation, and some of them just need adult attention and care. Very few people would begrudge them that, if they understood the situation.

@WithACatLikeTread having a mortgage makes you a damn site less 'poor' than someone like me who doesn't! You may be 'cash poor' but you have a very large asset that continues to accumulate wealth and one day you will own it outright. It is disingenuous for you to claim otherwise. I will likely never own my own home and as a unit we are not entitled to any UC either.

The club's are rarely all that if I'm honest and this isn't the parent getting more money, it's the child leaving the house. Take up is crap anyway as the quality is often shoddy and parents aren't keen for their kids to only be at a club thats only for kids on FSM.

PP doesn't equal FSM forever, it doesn't work like that.

The op has a point. And I say that as someone whose children DO get free school meals. No free holiday clubs here but my dc wouldn’t be able to attend anyway.

My dc aren’t disadvantaged. And I have been worse off financially in the past when just above the threshold for free school meals.

I actually think those people working full time in low income jobs are worse off than anyone.

I am not aware of the morning and after school club, I don't think this is true in my area? But I did want you to know that your child may well be able to access the HAF programmes without you being in receipt of free school meals. Councils should allow up to 15% of children not in receipt of FSM to access the programme if there are remaining places. Some factors that are more likely to get you a place are living in a postcode area of high deprivation, having a low income but not being entitled to FSM, having a disability, having low school attendance etc HAF programmes can accept anyone if they have spare places. There are loads of places running them so definitely worth you trying to gain a place.

You own property. A far greater privilege than a breakfast club.

Your DS is in a far better position because of it. Give your head a wobble.

Crikey. And I thought the stigma of free school meals had long gone.

If you have a mortgage and are on UC you get a much higher work allowance ( the amount that is completely disregarded before earnings reduce your total UC ) than someone renting so you do get extra help there. It really isn't an insignificant amount - over £600 that is completely disregarded from your earnings ! I'm getting fed up with people on UC with mortgages making out they are so hard done by !

It's understandable to feel envious as you are struggling so much. But I think funding is cut so much that there has to be a cut off point somewhere and unfortunately you are on the wrong side.
Is it different where you are - here the HAF scheme only provides 4 hours per day on 4 days. So not a full week of holiday club.

The argument would be that there has to be a cut off somewhere- receipt of FSM is a measure used by the government to determine levels of deprivation and risk- it’s an easy way to target the most needy while keeping costs down. Whether you agree with that depends on your political and philosophical position on the welfare state.

At least it’s something for some of the most vulnerable children- it’s better than nothing.

It's unbelievable isn't it.

No free holiday clubs on fsm here anyway. No reduced music lessons or trips either! Maybe that’s just England.

Maybe just be grateful that the state doesn't think your children would be better off out of your care.

My children receive fsm as they were entitled when I applied, I have since entered work and no longer qualify (if I were to apply again) but you continue to get them until your child finishes the phase of schooling they were in upon application.
Until the rollout of UC is completed no one has to reapply so my oldest went up to secondary school and was still entitled.

Despite no longer financially qualifying the threshold is quite low and the fsm and HAF clubs are a godsend to me as it means my child can go to a club in the holidays whilst I'm working. Despite working I actually couldn't afford school meals for my children, they would have a sandwich if it wasn't for fsm.

I think people need to realise that children from low income families are disadvantaged from the off and these things are not a reward to the parents but support for the child. Don't be jealous, be grateful that your children are more fortunate in life.

I am not aware of the morning and after school club, I don't think this is true in my area?

because it isn’t true. The holiday clubs are a thing but free after school clubs and breakfast club isn’t true

and I hate the assumption all kids on fsm are from vulnerable unstable unloving abusive homes 🙄

Not stigma but without being outing I come across a lot of families where the children really do need warm safe environments to be in when not at school. The point im
making is that it’s to help the children not to give the parents who may not work full time for whatever reason, a break.
children in poverty are at high risk- Fsm is a crude way of deciding who meets the criteria but it’s one of the simplest ways as that data is readily available to schools

🙄 that’s not what they think

Wow.

Thank god parents at my daughter's primary where lone parents were scarce didn't have your attitude.

Sickening.

Plus most after school activities are outsourced so full price has to be paid to the external providers regardless.

I'm glad my daughter will grow up to understand how life can be different for different people, she already has. I'll show her this quote in the morning. I'm sure could make an essay out of it in her Sociology class. Thanks.

Yes i reaoise that plus obviousoy costs to administrate the fsm.

Yes i would make sure nrp pays.
Im not convinced its worth it living together
Could get housing benefits each
More UC etc
And the dad would keep all his earnings
Only savings would be on council tax and other bills like heating.

Yes this is true , our household income is now £75k plus but I had previously received benefits around 7 years ago , our circumstance significantly changed but still eligible for pupil premium which our school wanted us to claim as it helps them out, I believe this will continue until my daughter finishes secondary school next year.

Not all, but when you look at the data of which children are suffering adverse circumstances it’s usually the poorest so this is an at risk group that society should be helping. Poverty is really stressful for families including the parents. Even loving parents who try their very best would be even better if they were releaved from the burden of the stress of poverty

Well yes, you're certainly coming across that way.

Especially when you said.... 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).

But of course you're not benefits bashing 🙄🙄