Clothing grants and free school meals

Free school meals holiday payments

The following financial support is available for people and families on low incomes or who have children entitled to free school meals - this does not include those entitled to universal provision of P1-5 meals:

Free school meals payments during school holidays (this does not include long weekends and in-service days)

For more information and details on how this will be paid, please access the School holidays section below.

The Scottish Government has provided the council with funding for pupils who get free school meals (excluding those entitled to universal provision of P1-5 meals) for the following school holidays:

Christmas/New Year break 2024/2025
February 2025 mid-term break
Spring break 2025
Summer break 2025

In line with the level of funding provided to us by the Scottish Government, the Christmas/New Year break 2024/2025 payments (covering 23 December to 6 January) will be made on Friday 20 December, which will be £25 per eligible pupil.

Payment dates for future holiday periods will be confirmed nearer the time.

Although all P1-5 pupils receive a free school meal in school, in line with Scottish Government funding arrangements the payments referred to above will only be made if you get any of the following benefits and are therefore eligible for free school meals:

Income Support
Universal Credit (and your earned income is less than £796 as assessed by the Department for Work and Pensions in the assessment period immediately preceding the application for free school meals)
Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
Child Tax Credit only (with a gross annual income less than £19,995 as assessed by HM Revenues and Customs on your Tax Credit Award Notice TC602)
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax credit (with a gross annual income less than £9,552) as assessed by HM Revenues and Customs on your Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602)
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

The payment will be made direct into your bank account using bank details we already have from making the footwear and clothing grant payments.

In exceptional circumstances payment may be made by PayPoint voucher. The PayPoint voucher will be sent to the lead contact of the pupil who is listed on the school records. This could be a parent, guardian or grand-parent.

Q. Who is eligible to receive a free school meal payment during the school holiday period?
A. Any household with a child or young person eligible for free school meals who get any of the benefits listed above. This includes primary, secondary and ASN schools. For more information on whether you are eligible, see the Free school meals page.

Q. Are all children in P1-P5 eligible for this payment?
A. No. Although all P1 to P5 pupils automatically get a free school meal in school, in line with Scottish Government funding arrangements you will only get this payment if you get any of the benefits listed above. For more information on eligibility see the Free school meals page.

Q. Does this payment include nursery children?
A. No, nursery aged children are currently not legally entitled to free school meals. The current statutory entitlement is 600 hours per year and does not include the provision of food.

Q. When will I receive my payments?
A. We aim to have the next payment issued by Friday 20 December 2024. Payment dates for future holiday periods will be confirmed nearer the time.

Q. Will I get a payment for each of my children?
A. Yes, you will receive a payment for each eligible child or young person.

Q. Do I need to apply for this payment?
A. No. The payment will be made direct into your bank account using bank details we already have from making the footwear and clothing grant payments. In exceptional circumstances we may pay by cheque or PayPoint voucher.

Q. How long do I have to cash-in my PayPoint voucher?
A. The voucher is valid for 1 month from the date of issue.

Q. How do I redeem my PayPoint voucher?
A. Your voucher can be redeemed for cash at any PayPoint outlet, of which there are more than 100 across South Lanarkshire. You can find your nearest PayPoint outlet by searching on the PayPoint website.

Q. Can I cash my PayPoint voucher online?
A. No. PayPoint payment vouchers can only be redeemed from a PayPoint outlet. You can find your nearest PayPoint outlet by searching on the PayPoint website.

Q. I believe I should have received payment and haven’t, who do I contact?
A. You should use our enquiry form.

If you have any other questions about free school meals during school holidays use our enquiry form.