Appendix B: Unitary Authority 16-19 contributions & low-income criteria

Authority	Region	Population	Post 16 2022/3 contribution	Low-income criteria
Cornwall	South West	570,305	£540	No reduction
Buckinghamshire	South East	553,078	Families can either apply for a Personal Transport Budget request transport arranged by the Council for an annual fee of £927	To qualify for the reduced charge, the following would be required: · evidence of Income Support / Universal Credit · evidence that your household income is less than £21,000 gross (i.e. before any deductions)
County Durham	North East	522,068	Advised contribution is based on 'various factors', but declined to advise of amount and amount not publicly available within policy statement	Parents who receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credit (the reduction to your income must be £0.00) (You will need to attach the full award notice to your application); • Council Tax Reduction (previously known as Council Tax Benefit) (NB this is not single person’s discount). • Free School Meals; If a student was eligible for free school meals during 2020/21 academic year, the student will be entitled to FSM until the end of their school career.
Wiltshire	South West	510,333	£596 / £260 on low income	reduced rate travel of £260 per annum for students whose gross household income is less than £20,819 and for all other students the charge will be £596.
Bristol	South West	472,465	£400	Not specified - The Local Authority may exercise its discretion, where they believe it appropriate, to ask students, parents and carers for a contribution towards travel costs.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	South West	400,196	£525	Families on a low income may not need to pay this if they meet the eligibility criteria for either: · Pupil Premium · Tax Credit at the maximum level
Cheshire East	North West	398,772	Mileage payment only. Where the offer of a payment under the Education Travel Payment policy is declined by the parent, the Local Authority will arrange suitable travel to the nearest suitable establishment, subject to a financial contribution being paid by parents (£450).	Mileage payment only. Where the offer of a payment under the Education Travel Payment policy is declined by the parent, the Local Authority will arrange suitable travel to the nearest suitable establishment, subject to a financial contribution being paid by parents.
Dorset	South West	379,579	£825	receive one of the following benefits as a family or individual: maximum level of Working Tax Credit income Support income-based Jobseeker's Allowance income-related Employment and Support Allowance support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 the guaranteed element of Pension Credit Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for 4 weeks after you no longer qualify for Working Tax Credit Universal Credit
Leicester	East Midlands	368,571	£660	A qualifying low-income family is one where a student entitled to Free School Meals or whose parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits or their maximum level of Working Tax Credit
East Riding of Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber	342,215	£600	educational needs or a disability who are assessed as requiring more bespoke transport support are required to contribute, To qualify for reduced contribution, a low-income family or a student living independently on a low income should be in receipt of any of the following: • Income Support. • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. • The Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit. • Child Tax Credit (provided the person is not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and has an annual gross income of no more than £17,005). • Universal Credit - household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you are in receipt of).
Cheshire West and Chester	North West	357,150	Exploring introducing in 2023	n/a
Nottingham	East Midlands	323,632	A charge for transport will be made on a sliding scale based £250 to  £500.	The family will meet the low income criteria if they fall into one or more of the categories below: □ The household is in receipt of Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190, □ Income Support □ Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based) □ Pension Guarantee Credit equivalent to/less than Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based). □ Income Related Employment and Support Allowance □ Universal Credit with an annual income of less than £7400. For the purposes of the assessment of household income, this includes all sources of income to the household as a whole and only Disability Living Allowance will be disregarded.
North Northamptonshire	East Midlands		£600	Parents or carers in receipt of one of the following will qualify as low income: · Income Support · child entitled to free school meals · Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance · support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 · Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income as assessed by the Inland Revenue that does not exceed £16,190 · guaranteed element of State Pension Credit · receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit For 16 to 18 year olds meeting these criteria, the cost is £300 a year
West  Northamptonshire	East Midlands		£600	Parents or carers in receipt of one of the following will qualify as low income: · Income Support · child entitled to free school meals · Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance · support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 · Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income as assessed by the Inland Revenue that does not exceed £16,190 · guaranteed element of State Pension Credit · receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit For 16 to 18 year olds meeting these criteria, the cost is £300 a year
Northumberland	North East	320,567	£50 admin fee	Income Support ● income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance ● income-related Employment and Support Allowance ● support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 ● the guaranteed element of Pension Credit Northumberland County Council Page 4 May 2021 ● Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) ● Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit ● Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) ● Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Shropshire	West Midlands	323,606	£918	income Based Job Seekers Allowance Income Support Free School Meals (as authorised by the Authority, not the school that your child is attending.) Child Tax Credit with annual income, as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs, of less than £16,190 on 1st September 2021 or subsequently on the date of application. Income related Employment and Support Allowance Universal credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods) The guaranteed element of pension credit
Central Bedfordshire	East	294,252	£801	Income Support (IS) • Letter confirming receipt of benefit Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA) • Letter confirming receipt of benefit Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (from the National Asylum Support Service) Letter of confirmation from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit Pension Credit M1000 Award Notice Child Tax Credit, provided a parent /carer is not entitled to Working Tax Credit and has an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190 • TC602 Tax Award Credit Notice – issued by HM Revenue and Customs • Letter from the local Revenues and Customs Office confirming tax credit details Employment Support Allowance • Letter confirming receipt of benefit.
South Gloucestershire	South West	290,424	£648	No charge will be made in the case of students/families entitled to the maximum level of Working Tax Credit (this is the free school meal entitlement level) but proof of entitlement will be required.
Medway	South East	279,773	All post 16 transport will incur a flat rate contribution towards the cost of any alternative transport arrangements. This contribution will be equivalent to the cost of an annual point bus pass.  (around £600)	Not specified
Milton Keynes	South East	287,060	no charge	n/a
Plymouth	South West	264,695	£541.00	The cost will be reduced by 10% to £486.90 if paid in one instalment at the time of application or prior to the start of the academic year.
Hull	Yorkshire and the Humber	267,014	£370.00	No reduction for low income
Derby	East Midlands	261,364	currently consulting on introducing a charge	n/a
Stoke-on-Trent	West Midlands	258,366	£543 - £688	Low income is where the student or their parent is in receipt of a benefit that leads to the receipt of free school meals - these are Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and the household income is not more that £16,190, the Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit, support 19 under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 or Universal Credit with an annual net earned household income of no more than £7,400, or receives the maximum level of Working Tax Credit
Southampton	South East	248,922	no charge	n/a
Swindon	South West	233,407	£495	Not specified
Portsmouth	South East	208,003	£600	the learner or their parent is in receipt of maximum level of working tax credit or in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits for entitlement to free school meals. The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit Child Tax Credit only, provided your annual household income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) does not exceed £16,190. Maximum Working Tax Credit Universal Credit (providing your household income does not exceed £7,400 per year excluding benefits
Luton	East	225,262	no charge	n/a
North Somerset	South West	216,726	£676	Not specified
Warrington	North West	210,974	£460	the learner or their parent is in receipt of maximum level of working tax credit or in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits for entitlement to free school meals.
York	Yorkshire and the Humber	202,821	£500	Not specified
Peterborough	East	215,671	£600	Maximum level of Working Tax Credit (i.e. no reductions due to income)  Income support  Income based Job Seekers Allowance  Income-related Employment and Support Allowance  Support under Part VI of the immigration and asylum Act �1999  The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit – a natural progression of Income support once the claimant attains 6 years or over since the introduction of the equalisation of pension ages and deferred state pension ages.  Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of less that £�16,�19  Working Tax Credit Run – on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit  Universal Credit – with an annual net earnings threshold of £7,4 or less
Stockton-on-Tees	North East	196,595	£300	No reduction for low income
Herefordshire	West Midlands	187,034	£875	No reduction for low income
Bath and North East Somerset	South West	193,409	£480	No reduction for low income
Southend-on-Sea	East	180,686	£610	A low income family for transport purposes is one who would fulfil the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals or is in receipt of a qualifying benefit which are the same as B&Hs
Telford and Wrekin	West Midlands	185,541	£600	Families in receipt of Income Support.  Families in receipt of Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IB JSA).  Families who receive Child Tax Credit and have an annual income below the relevant threshold.  Families who receive Employment and Support Allowance (Income related).  Families who receive The Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.  Families who receive support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act �1999.  Families in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.  Families in receipt of benefits that supersede those listed above
North Lincolnshire	Yorkshire and the Humber	169,680	£90	Not specified
Thurrock	East	176,001	In most cases, there will be a charge for travel assistance. Requests a (unspecified) contribution towards the cost, or the full cost to the council.	Not specified
Bedford	East	185,225	£445	Students are entitled to a discount of the costs of transport if their parent(s)/carer(s) are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Support from the National Asylum Support Service, Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit or Child Tax Credit (provided that you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and annual income does not exceed £16,190), or the maximum rate of Working Tax Credit. The transport fee is offered at a fixed rate and no further reductions are available for part time travel or where transport is provided after the start of term
Wokingham	South East	177,503	£745	students eligible for Free School Meals providing their journey is beyond the statutory three miles safe walking distance
Reading	South East	174,224	no charge	n/a
North East Lincolnshire	Yorkshire and the Humber	156,966	£90	No reduction for low income
West Berkshire	South East	161,448	£840	If your school/college is unable to assist and you are entitled to free school meals or maximum levels of Working Tax Credit and are struggling to meet the contribution for the council's Post-16 SEN scheme, you can apply for financial assistance through the council
Windsor and Maidenhead	South East	153,496	£702	Income Support; • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; • Child Tax Credit – provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190; • Universal Credit - with an annual earned income of £7,400 or less (after tax and not including any benefits you get); • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit; • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. - please note: we need to see entire letters showing eligibility for Working Tax Credit, not just single pages, if proof of low income is not attached to the application it will delay the assessment,
Blackburn with Darwen	North West	154,738	no publicly available transport statement	n/a
Slough	South East	158,500	£1,000	Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 • The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods) • Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of £16,190 or less • Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Isle of Wight	South East	140,459	no charge	n/a
Middlesbrough	North East	143,926	no charge	n/a
Blackpool	North West	141,036	no charge	n/a
Redcar and Cleveland	North East	136,531	no charge	n/a
Torbay	South West	139,324	£682	Students from families on low income can apply to their school or college for bursary funding to assist with their travel costs. For many students this is discretionary and schools/colleges will assist in different ways. Where a student is on low income and has applied for and been refused bursary assistance, if there are exceptional circumstances they may appeal to the local authority for support. You are unlikely to succeed in an appeal for financial assistance/reduced contribution unless you have applied for and been refused a bursary from the school and can provide evidence that you are on low income.
Halton	North West	128,478	£370	Not specified
Bracknell Forest	South East	124,607	£735	they have parents/legal guardian (or who are themselves) in receipt of one of the following benefits: • Universal Credit (as appropriate) • Free School meals for their child, or family is entitled to maximum working tax credit (for learners aged 16-19)
Darlington	North East	107,799	no charge	n/a
Hartlepool	North East	92,338	no charge	n/a
Rutland	East Midlands	41,049	£578	The Council may consider exempting learners from paying the contribution if the learner’s parent or guardian is in receipt of: • Income Support, • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, • Child Tax Credit (where annual household income is less than £16,190 and applicant meets criteria for eligibility for free school meals). Exemptions will be considered on an individual basis upon submission of supporting documentation