Bedford Borough Council will again be providing vouchers to families with children eligible for income related free school meals.

Funded through the Household Support Fund, the council will provide households £25 per eligible child or young person in Bedford Borough for half term. On top of the £15 supermarket voucher, this half term a one off £10 will also be provided to help off-set any extra spend utility bills and other household expenses.

Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below:

• Universal Credit - with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190

Families with eligible children in school will receive their vouchers as they have previously via the email or their school distribution process. Children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium and 2 year old funding will have an allocation that they can collect from their child’s setting.

The Council and Bedford Borough schools are encouraging more families to register and apply for free school meals, so that they begin to receive the support they need.

To find out if you are eligible and to register for free school meals visit www.bedford.gov.uk/schools-education-and-childcare/education-welfare-se…

Cllr John Wheeler commented: “It is great that the Government have given extra money to help those most in need through the Household Support Fund and I hope this will go a long away to ensuring that all children will be fed in Bedford this half term.”