Thanks to the Government’s Household Support Fund, eligible Bedford families will receive £25 per child or young person this February half term.
The £25 is formed of £15 to support a daily meal and a supplementary £10 allocation, which is being provided to help off-set any extra spend on 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
- Early Years Pupil Premium
- 2 Year Old Funding
Families with eligible children will receive their vouchers as they have previously, via an email or through their school or setting distribution process.
The Council and Bedford Borough schools are trying to encourage 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-service/free-school-meals/
Wootton Councillor John Wheeler commented “I am delighted that the Government is continuing to fund school meals during the holidays for those families most in need.
It is great that assistance can be provided so that the Borough can work to ensure no child goes hungry during these difficult times.”
