Free School Meals For October And Up To Easter Holidays For Eligible Pupils

26th October 2020

Eligible school pupils in the Highland Council area are to receive vouchers for the October holiday period and for the coming Christmas break, February and Easter holidays in 2021 to help with food support.

Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council's Education Committee said: "Highland welcomes the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Ann Somerville MSP which will provide much-needed support to our more vulnerable families in need during these difficult coronavirus times. This announcement I am sure will be of great relief to young people, parents and guardians and it builds on the support that has already been in place in Highland in recent times"

In Highland, P1-3 pupils who are entitled to the school clothing grant and P4-S6 pupils who are eligible for free school meals will each receive the equivalent of £3 per day which will be paid using the same voucher systems that were deployed during the summer months. Parents and carers are reminded to quickly update their child's school as and when they change their contact details in order to ensure they receive these vouchers when they are being made.

The Council’s Welfare Resilience Team is working at pace to issue these vouchers for the October period. Parents and carers whose children are currently receiving free school meals (P4-S6) and school clothing grants (P1-3) are therefore asked not to contact the Council to enquire about payment dates as this will enable vouchers to be issued as quickly as possible.

All lower income families who haven’t already claimed free school meals and school clothing grants are encouraged to do so as quickly as possible by contacting the Council’s Welfare Support Team by email to welfare.support@highland.gov.ukor by calling 0800 090 1004. All calls from landlines and mobiles are free.