Chris Roberts

FSM for Bursary - 26-27

Created

Hi all

Does anyone know if 16-19 learners on bursary can get FSM next year if the household income is made up of the guarantee element of pension credit or ESA?

The new guidance just states may be entitled...

Eligible benefits

Free meals are targeted at disadvantaged students. Free meals in FE defines disadvantage as students being in receipt of, or having parents who are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits: 

  • Universal Credit

  • support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

A student is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or a responsible adult on their behalf, have made a successful application to the institution where they are enrolled.

Households in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit may also be entitled to a meal.

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Steve Hewitt

Is this an internal policy thing? So, if you write your policy to include those learners, then it's fine? But, yes, nothing worse than a "may", is there?

The BIG problem we're seeing is that this change means Looked After Children don't appear to be eligible because their Corporate Parent isn't on UC and they can't apply for it themselves...

Chris Roberts

Yes I have already amended our policy to give any of the vulnerable defined learners a hot meal regardless of their household income etc. 

Its those learners that live with grandparents who get the state pension element (albeit a small amount) that "may" not now be eligible. Haven't seen any one ESA for years now so not worried about those.