Apply for free school meals by smartphone (From Borehamwood Times)
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Apply for free school meals by smartphone
12:30pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News By Katie Dolamore
Hertfordshire parents can now use the latest digital technology to apply for free school meals.
Families entitled to education benefits can now apply via a digital TV service, smartphone, web enabled mobile phone or via game consoles such as Xbox, Wii and PlayStation.
Hertfordshire County Council is the first local authority to incorporate new technology into this application process.
Cabinet member for education and skills, Frances Button, said: “We want to tap into the latest technology to help even more families to apply quickly and easily for the benefits to which they are entitled.
“Having a healthy, balanced lunch makes a real different to children’s welfare and their attainment in school.
“I hope this new scheme will encourage everyone who is entitled to free school meals to put in an application, and that other local authorities will follow in our lead.”
Digital TV users can make applications via The Community Channel on Sky channel 539, or Virgin channel 233.
Smartphone users can apply by searching ‘lookinglocal’ on the Android Market or the iTunes App Store.
Comments(4)
Opinionatedone
says...
8:05am Sat 30 Jun 12
7.2 sony surround sound system
32" flatscreen in the bedroom
Xbox with kinect and 30 games
Wii
2 contract mobile phones
Nice car so I don't have to get the bus
Hope you notice my sarcasm
Neiltheboss
says...
9:29am Sat 30 Jun 12
You may or not have these things. You may or may not be entitled to free school meals. How would I know that so how would I recognise the sarcasm?
However Herts C C must obviously recognise the need for free school meals to be accessed via these devices. It's just a shame that the low paid families earning £16K or less don't qualify for free school meals - don't you think?
Opinionatedone
says...
10:26am Sat 30 Jun 12
A guide to free school meals for
parents/carers and families
Did you know that Hertfordshire County Council could save
you £300 every year?
If you receive one of the following benefits, you could be eligible for free school meals
worth over £300 per child per year.
• Income support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit with a taxable income of no more than £16,190 and not in
receipt of Working Tax Credit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after employment
finishes or after you start to work less than 16 hours per week
Actually its a taxable income of 16k . And if both parents were working then it is hard to earn less than that .
You will find that these families have mobiles as they are cheaper than a land line . Grandparents etc get their children computers as presents
Don't believe everything you read in the sun as many families on benefits are a damned site worse off
EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
Personal Allowances
Single
under 25 53.45 56.25
25 or over 67.50 71.00
lone parent
under 18 53.45 56.25
18 or over 67.50 71.00
couple
both under 18 53.45 56.25
both under 18 with child 80.75 84.95
both under 18 (main phase) 67.50 71.00
both under 18 with child (main phase) 105.95 111.45
Hardly a fortune is it
Neiltheboss says...
4:53pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Low paid working families can't afford these things and aren't eligible for free school meals.
Interesting thought.