Most vulnerable families in Orkney to receive early Christmas cash present

For the third year running, Christmas will come early for many of Orkney’s most vulnerable families with a direct payment totalling £260 for every child entitled to free school meals.

 

This will be the final bridging payment to be made but as such, Scottish Government have doubled the usual amount of £130 to £260 per child. Bridging payments are ceasing because the Scottish Child Payment is being extended to include those aged up to 16. For more info, please see here: Scottish Child Payment - mygov.scot

 

The boost, which will benefit 249 children in Orkney from P1-S6 (nursery children are not eligible), will be paid directly to families before Christmas and those receiving it will be able to use it for whatever they need.

 

This payment is per child, not per household, and for those families on a low income only – so a family with three eligible children will receive £780.

 

Children who receive a free school meal through the universal provision are not entitled to this payment.

 

OIC Leader Councillor James Stockan said: “We continue to find ourselves living through these extraordinary times, and we know that our most vulnerable families in Orkney are likely to be worst hit.

 

“We are fearful there are families out there who are missing out on free school meals, and now these additional payments, due to a misconception of there being a stigma attached. Please be reassured the system we have in place has already been commended by other parents and carers who have applied as being subtle and ensures complete privacy.

 

“As a result of previous appeals we have had many, many more families come forward and benefit – but there may still be more out there who could qualify. We know from previous rounds of awards that some families sitting just above the cusp of qualifying for free school meals find this very frustrating and we would urge those families to check with all available avenues that they are receiving all benefits to which they are entitled.

 

“I again urge people to please check – your circumstances may have changed slightly that may mean you are now entitled.

 

“We are also continuing to make payments towards the cost of meals throughout the Christmas and Easter holiday periods in 2022/2023 and for the last teacher’s strike day for those eligible at the schools that were closed. These payments will be made at the same time as the bridging payments.”

 

The Scottish Government Bridging Payment of £260 per eligible child was announced as part of the First Minister’s Winter Plan for Social Protection.

 

No application for the payment is required if children are already in receipt of free school meals due to low income.

 

Those to benefit from the full £260 for each child must be in receipt of free school meal entitlement. You can still apply for this between now and 21 December 2022.

 

Payments will be made by bank transfer. The additional payments will have no impact on benefits already paid.

 

Applications can be made online via MyOrkney at www.orkney.gov.uk/School-Benefit or call the Council's Customer Services team on 01856873535 for a paper application form.