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<p>I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 6 February 2019 to <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-24/HL13093/"
target="_blank">HL13093</a> and <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-24/HL13094/"
target="_blank">HL13094</a>.</p><p>The eligibility criteria for free school meals
(FSM) remains the same following changes to the rollout schedule for Universal Credit
(UC), and we will keep the level of the earnings threshold under review following
UC rollout. Households that are receiving legacy benefits will continue to access
FSM in the same way they do now, and as households migrate to UC in due course, they
will remain eligible for FSM throughout the rollout of UC. Our protections mean that
even if a household moves above the earnings threshold or ceases to claim benefits,
they will continue to receive FSM for the duration of the UC rollout.</p><p>No child
that is eligible for and currently receives FSM will lose their entitlement to FSM
as a result of UC during the roll out phase, and even more children will benefit by
retaining eligibility through the protections we have put in place.</p><p>The department
wants to make sure that as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming FSM and to
make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility.
To support this we provide:</p><p>The eligibility checking service to make the checking
process as quick and simple as possible for schools and local authorities;</p><p>A
model registration form for paper-based applications; and</p><p>Guidance to Jobcentre
Plus advisors and work coaches so they can make UC claimants aware that they might
be entitled to FSM.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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