Families to receive October holiday free school meal payments

A successful Council bid to the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund means free school meals payments will be made to cover the October holiday period. 

Emails advising families who are entitled to the lump sum payments – those who are currently eligible for free school meals - are being sent out.  

Payments will cover the two-week October holiday period meaning that 223 children and young people (120 families) will benefit. Payments are £3.30 per child per day for primary children and £3.40 per child per day for secondary children – the same as the cost of school meals.  

 Any new applicants may be eligible for any forthcoming holiday payments (dependent on funding) - so folk are encouraged to check whether they are eligible for free school meals and the clothing allowance (even if your school does not have a uniform).   

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “My thanks go to officers for the application and successful award of funds to allow this payment to continue for families who will be feeling the pinch during these ongoing challenging times.  

“Please check whether or not you may be entitled to free school meals and the associated benefits this could bring. We have tried to make the application process as easy as possible for families and we have staff on standby to help if necessary.   

“We fear that some families don’t want to be seen to be in the ‘free meals’ category. However, it is an ‘entitlement,’ and nobody should be worried about accessing it as it is an entirely confidential process, and the entitlement of universal free school meals includes all P1-P5 pupils. This is going some way to help reduce any perceived stigma attached.”   

The clothing grant is £150 for an eligible secondary student and £120 for an eligible primary school pupil.   

The allowances can be applied for via the Council website's School Benefit page - https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/School-Meals-and-Clothing-Allowances.htm 

For anyone who is unable to access the online application form they can call 01856 873535 and a paper copy form will be posted to them. Anyone having difficulty filling out the forms should contact the Council Offices and ask for Heather Manson on 01856 873535 extension 2416 or Leanne Tait extension 2422. 

Applications require to be made every year.