Free school meal financial support extended over the summer holidays

Almost 150 families in Orkney are to benefit from free school meal financial support over the summer holidays.

The Council has agreed to make a payment of £2.50 per weekday for each pupil who qualifies – around 265 pupils in Orkney - with a single payment of £90 being made to cover the entire holiday period for each eligible child/young person.

The payments will be made directly to bank accounts of families of eligible pupils, excluding leavers, who are currently in years P1-S6.

Pupils are eligible if their families receive any of the following benefits or support:

• Income Support.
• Income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance.
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• Universal Credit where the monthly earned income does not exceed £625.
• Child Tax Credit only – income must be under £16,190.
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit – income must be under £7,500.
• Support under Part VI of Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Families in Orkney are being encouraged to apply for free school meals and clothing allowances before the end of term – which may open up other pandemic support grants available to them.

The Council’s 2021/2022 applications for both allowances now open and can be applied for online here

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.