Families whose children receive benefits-related free school meals will receive vouchers to help with the costs of food during the October half-term. This follows the recent launch of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) grant scheme.
Through the fund, schools can support eligible pupils with a £15 voucher to cover the one-week holiday. The families of children and young people from reception to Year 11 will receive the vouchers.
Lancashire County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "I welcome this news from the government as it means that some eligible families will continue to receive support whilst the schools are closed for the half-term break.
"We're pleased that the government has announced this new grant, as we can use it to help some of our families. Unfortunately, school holidays can be a real challenge for our poorest families in Lancashire. The vouchers will help to ensure that children will be able to have healthy and nourishing meals during the holiday."
If a family is eligible for free school meals, their school will be in touch with them about the voucher scheme.
The electronic shopping vouchers will be distributed from the schools that the children and young people attend and will be available to use to buy food at a range of supermarkets.
Similar to the term-time voucher scheme, the vouchers can be used at Aldi, Asda, McColl’s, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Company Shop Group and Iceland, including The Food Warehouse Stores.
Families can redeem vouchers by either presenting them on their smartphone or tablet, or a paper copy.
Families who are currently receiving Free School Meals, and the following benefits, will receive the vouchers directly from schools:
- 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
- Working Tax Credit run-on
- Universal Tax Credit
Information about the eligibility criteria for free school meals can be found at www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/free-school-meals
British Empire Medal to be presented to Morecambe band stalwart in prestigious Lancaster Castle ceremony
Lancaster and Morecambe events open young ears to music of the jukebox generation
Popular Morecambe fabric and gift shop returns as pop-up on Prom
Event announced for residents to help create exhibits for new £100m Eden Project Morecambe
Police announce that body found on beach is missing man from Morecambe
Burst pipe leaves Carnforth and Bolton-le-Sands residents without water and forces school to close
Thousands more flock to Morecambe’s Baylight Festival in 2024
Lancaster surgeon dressed as 'poo emoji' among our London Marathon heroes
VIDEO: Delight at rare otter sighting near Lancaster village marina
PHOTOS: March and rally calling for Gaza ceasefire held in Lancaster city centre
Crews put out house fire in Heysham
St John's Hospice Colour Dash returns to Kendal next month
Lancaster Uni’s ‘hackathon’ tests cyber experts of the future
Coach ploughs into back of car abandoned by drink driver on M6 near Lancaster
Man charged with wounding after Lancaster machete attack
Crews tackle Heysham vehicle fire
Teenager arrested after alleged attempted stabbing at Lancaster station
Lancaster to Barrow trains to run again after derailment
Morecambe chief exec to depart the Shrimps in the summer
Controversial Frontierland plans would have left Morecambe Town Council with 'critically low' reserves
