Free school meals

[legohouse]

Hi, does anyone know why if you get housing benefit you are therefore not entitled to free school meals? I am a single parent,work part time,on a low income and not in receipt of working tax credits as don't work enough hours....

I thought that any work meant you didn't qualify for FSM. I earn £8k part time and don't qualify for FSM as I receive working tax credit.

Your situation sounds like it must be wrong, where did you get the info from Surely you either get FSM or WTC? (I could be taking rubbish though!)

If you get any of the following support payments your child may be entitled to receive free school meals:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit

however HB is counted as income and that with your child tax credit plus wages may take you over your local council limit.

Unfortunately this is administered at a local county level so there are differences depending on where you live and the only way to be sure is to apply.

I work silly hours for low wages and don't qualify.

hth

HB doesn't make a difference. From what I remember when I filled the form in, you need to be claiming IS or tax credits to qualify... There were others but they didn't apply to me so I can't remember what they were. Are you sure you're claiming all you can? Don't you get child tax credits? Check entitledto.com

Ah foolonthehill has posted the list :-)

Thanks,i have just applied online,had to put in my normal details plus nat ins number and got a reply in 5 mins saying that i AM eligible!! Meglet,because i don't get working tax creds my kids can get fsm...it was confusing though as on the council website there was a mis-print saying if you get hb you don't qualify.

Foolonthehill - thanks for putting all that info up