What provision during the summer holidays 2023 is available for children who are ordinarily eligible for free school meals?
We will distribute a supermarket voucher to families who have children eligible to claim free school meals. The value of the voucher is £90 per child (£15 per week for each of the 6 week holiday). The voucher is intended to be used for the purchase of additional food for children whilst on school holiday.
What is the budget allocated for this year’s scheme?
The total budget for this summer’s provision is £2,964,201
How many children are eligible for the support?
Circa 21,000 children (19,200 at the last spring census – 19th January)
How much money has been allocated per child?
£15 per child per week, therefore £90 per child for the 6 week summer break
What is the eligibility criteria for the support?
The eligibility criteria are:
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get 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 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)
- Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.