Universal credit

[paddypants13]

We are entitled to UC but because I have a zero hours contract I usually earn above the threshold so we rarely actually receive a payment.

I received a letter today from my local education authority to say dd (5) is no longer entitled to free school meals because they have no proof we are receiving UC. I called them to query this and they said that unless we actually receive a payment every month. I queried this because although my hours are pretty regular and I take overtime where I can, I am not guaranteed any work.

Does anyone understand how it works? I've been online and I can't see anything that says we must receive a payment every month to qualify for any extra assistance.

We also get the 15 free hours childcare for ds(2) and when I went to the opticians recently I was informed my eye test was free and I am entitled to a voucher towards the cost of glasses. (I queried the free eye test at the time but was assured it was definitely free.) I'm worried that these things will be affected and we will end up owing money.

Can anyone advise me further?

Thank you.

For a while everyone on UC has been entitled to fsm which was ridiculous as like with tax credits , people could be earning a very decent wage but still get some help with childcare costs. I think they have changed it now so that only people earning less than around 16k on UC can get the fsm with brings it broadly in line with the old working tax credit rule that if you got working tax credits you don't get fsm. I think this few months of everyone getting them on UC was just a glitch and has now been changed.

I’d also be wary about your eligibility for free prescriptions/glasses/Dentist etc as it looks like you actually have to have received universal credit in your last assessment period to qualify. www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/universal-credit.aspx

Where are you!

School meals are free for all 5yo in England anyway!

Eye tests are free in Scotland irrespective of income, providing you don’t ask for one too often.
Once a year I think?

Thank you for your replies.

@slashdragon - yes, dd does get free school meals anyway. I'm not so much worried about that or indeed paying my way. I'm worried that I'm being told I'm entitled to things when I'm not and I'll end up owing money/ being accused of benefit fraud.