Eligible families to receive Free School Meals summer payment

Thousands of Flintshire families will receive financial help towards their food bills during the summer holidays.

Children eligible for free school meals during term-time are entitled to £50 per eligible child in a bid from Flintshire County Council to alleviate food poverty during the school break.

The Council stepped in and agreed to provide the financial assistance after the Welsh Government scheme to provide a direct payment, vouchers or food to families facing financial difficulties during the school holidays was closed in June 2023.

Up to around 5,000 pupils will benefit from the payment which will be paid to parents/carers in two instalments. The first payment of £25 will be processed the week beginning July 22 and the second £25 will be paid the week beginning August 12.

Parents/carers do not need to apply for this payment. Payment will be made automatically, directly to bank accounts for parents/carers of all children that are either eligible for Free School Meals (eFSM) or that are receiving eFSM under Transitional Protection.

Cabinet member for Education, Councillor Mared Eastwood, said:

“As a Council we are aware of the ever-increasing burden of the cost of living on our communities and want to help relieve some of the strain on household budgets.

“Following the withdrawal of the Welsh Government scheme, the Council stepped in to provide this payment at a time when the budget is already stretched. We are committed to lobbying Welsh Government to support the families who need it most.”