Important Information for Parents

Dear Parent/Carer,

Regarding: Universal Credit and Free School Meals

Swansea City Council has communicated with all of its schools to ask them to contact parents/carers regarding Universal Credit.

Universal Credit is a new single benefit that has replaced legacy benefits (Housing Benefit, Income Support, income based Jobseekers Allowance, income related Employment Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit). Up until 13th December 2017 if a person needed to claim one of the legacy benefits then they would claim the Universal Credit instead.

From 13th December 2017 the restrictions are being lifted and Swansea is going Full Service for Universal Credit, meaning people living in Swansea who are of working age and need to make a new claim for any of the legacy benefits listed will have to claim Universal Credit instead. If you are a parent/carer who will be making a claim for Universal Credit from 13th December then you should also make a claim for Free School Meals.

You can apply online or get further information at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals (or use paper form if no online access – telephone 01792 635353)

You should also be advised that if your son/daughter has free school meals then they will be eligible for other assistance within school to support learning,

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Ford

Headteacher