Education Welfare Benefits Dcc Schools

Help available for lowincome families who have school age children

Education welfare benefits for September 2009 – August 2010 The following information refers to the range of benefits available to parents who meet the criteria. If you require further details, or application forms, you should ask at your child’s school or contact the relevant officer, contact details are included on the last page. School uniform grants The Welsh Assembly Government uniform grant scheme for year 7 pupils only The grant is intended to assist low income families who have children moving up to the Secondary Education sector for the first time. Who qualifies for assistance? To qualify for assistance, the pupil(s) must be 11 years of age on the 1st of September and entering year 7 in a secondary school, special school, special needs resource base, or pupil referral unit in Denbighshire. The parent or legal guardian making the application must be in receipt of one of the following:  Income Support;  Income Based Job Seekers Allowance;  Support Under Part VI Of The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;  Child Tax Credit (but not Working Family Tax Credit) with an annual income of less than £16,040;  The Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. A payment of £100 will be made by cheque to successful applicants. If you have any queries about this grant please contact either Mark Butler on 01824 706429, or Peter Inskip on 01824 708331 School uniform grant scheme for pupils in year 8 onwards Who qualifies for assistance? To qualify for assistance, the pupil(s) must live in Denbighshire, be starting years 8 to 11 on the 1st September in a secondary school, special school, special needs resource base or pupil referral unit in Denbighshire. The parent or legal guardian making the application must live in Denbighshire and be in receipt of one of the following:  Income Support;  Income Based Job Seekers Allowance. 1 Vouchers to the value of £28 will be sent to successful applicants. Application forms are available from either the child’s school, or the Student Finance department, contact details are listed from page 27 onwards.

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Source – Denbighshire County Council [2009]

The Welsh Assembly Government Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is an income-assessed weekly allowance to help with the cost of further education, this benefit is not administered by the Local Authority. For up to date information please go to Student Finance Wales website http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Provision of meals and refreshments Meals The Authority will ensure: The provision of a mid-day meal, at a fixed price, in all primary and special schools. A choice of courses is provided wherever possible.  The provision of a mid-day meal in all secondary schools, on a cafeteria basis, with an individual pricing system. Free School Meals Free School Meals will only be provided for pupils attending Denbighshire schools. To be eligible for free school meals, a child must be 4 years or older at the beginning of the school year that is being claimed for (i.e. on 1st September). The parent /guardian must then be in receipt of one of the following: • Income Support • Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) • Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related) • Child Tax Credit (with a taxable income below £16,040), but not be in receipt of Working Tax Credit. • Immigration Asylum Seekers Allowance It is necessary to complete an application form. Details about the procedure for claiming free school meals are available from Headteachers and/or the Benefits Department (Contact details are included from page 27 onwards). All enquiries will be dealt with in confidence. Menus The School Meals Service provides menus based on the draft ‘Appetite for Life’ guidelines laid down by the Welsh Assembly. The menus provide a variety of choice and there is control over the use of popular items of food. A school meal is provided to all pupils other than part-time nursery pupils. Facilities will be made available at all primary and secondary schools for children who wish to bring their own mid-day meal. Milk A third of a pint of milk may be provided daily, free of charge to pupils under the age of 7. Breakfast schemes for primary schools

Many primary schools in Denbighshire take part in the Welsh Assembly Government's ‘Free Breakfast Initiative’, which provides a free, healthy breakfast at school each day. Some primary schools also operate their own breakfast schemes, for which a small charge is made. Further details can be obtained from individual schools. Charging and remissions policy for school journeys / visits (Education Act 1996) Remissions Pupils are entitled to remission if their parents are in receipt of Income Support or income related Job Seekers Allowance. Authority Remission Grants apply to board and lodgings expenses only. Those school journeys/visits that would qualify for full remission of board and lodgings from the Authority are those which:  Take place in school hours as defined.  Form part of the provisions of the National Curriculum or part of the duty to provide religious education.  Provide delivery of part of the syllabus of a prescribed pubic examination.  Satisfy the Authority’s rules and regulations relating to out of school visits. Remission of board and lodging expenses for journeys/visits taking place in school hours as defined but not complying with the above criteria, will be a matter for the Governing Body. Contact details Free School Meals (FSM) (eligibility) Parents who reside in Rhyl please call: 01824 706316 or 01824 706400 Parents who reside anywhere else in Denbighshire please call: 01824 706302 or 01824 706312 Benefits Department Russell House Churton Road Rhyl LL18 3DP [email protected] General Education Queries 01824 712777 [email protected] www.denbighshire.gov.uk/education School Transport 01824 706891 School Transport Office Transport & Infrastructure Environment Directorate

Caledfryn Smithfield Road Denbigh LL16 3RJ [email protected] Student Finance 01824 712655 Student Finance Office Resources Directorate County Hall Wynnstay Road Ruthin LL15 1YN [email protected] www.denbighshire.gov.uk/education