Warning for thousands of parents to claim summer holiday support worth up to £288
Families living in Scotland could be eligible for extra payments over the school holidays to cover the cost of meals.
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Households that receive free school lunches during term time will automatically receive daily payments of £2.50 per child over the holidays.
Advice Direct Scotland is urging households to check if they qualify for free school meals to avoid missing out on the payments.
The national advice agency said that while exact holiday dates vary by council, a household with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the course of the six-week summer break.
Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'It's crucial that families know about the support available to help provide healthy meals for their children.
'Many Scots are facing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living and energy crises and will be worried about holiday-related expenses on top of rising bills.
'For families with children eligible for free school meals, payments are available throughout the summer, so we encourage anyone who might benefit to apply now.
'Remember, once your application is approved, payments will start promptly and will also be available during other school holidays."
All children in P1 to P5 at schools run by local councils currently receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of their family circumstances.
Children in P6 and above get free school meals only if they come from low-income households.
The Scottish government continues to provide support to children if whose parents receive certain benefits over the summer holidays.
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Payments are set at £2.50 per day, per child, for each weekday during the holidays. Families will not receive the payments on weekends.
However, some councils, such as Midlothian, offer higher rates of £4.20 per primary school pupil and £4.80 per secondary school pupil.
It means summer payments will be around £75, £126, or £144 per child, depending on the rate and school stage.
To qualify, people must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Universal Credit (where monthly earned income is not more than £850)
Income Support
Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Some families who receive Child Tax Credit may also be eligible, depending on their income. You can check with your council to see if you qualify.
You can apply for the extra support straight away if you're due to start receiving one of these benefits during the summer holidays, even if you're not currently eligible.
Applications can be made through councils or online at mygov.scot.
Advice Direct says the application form takes around 20 minutes to complete, and applicants will need the dates of birth of any children they have, their partner's details if applicable, and their bank details.
Those unable to fill out the application can contact the team at advice.scot for help by phone or online.
What if I don't live in Scotland?
If you live in England or Wales, there are other ways you can get financial help for your family over the summer holidays.
Parents of children in England who receive benefits-related free school meals can get support through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), which runs over the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays.
It provides struggling families of children aged four and above with access to free childcare, activities and healthy meals.
Who is eligible for benefits-related free school meals?
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals who is eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
All state-school children in England in Reception, Year One and Year Two receive free school meals regardless of whether their parents receive benefits.
This is through what's known as Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM), which has been in place since 2014.
However, you can also claim free school meals for children aged up to 18 if you are on certain benefits, known as benefits-related free school meals.
You need to be claiming at least one of the following:
Universal Credit
Child Tax Credit
The 'guaranteed element' of Pension Credit
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Working Tax Credit (only in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Working Tax Credit run-on (only in England and Wales)
If you are on Universal Credit or Tax Credits, you also have to meet other criteria. More information can be found on www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
In England, you can apply for free school meals through your local council.
Each local council in England is required to provide at least six weeks of support every year to all eligible children, which is split over each of the long school holidays.
This allows eligible families to get at least four days of help over Easter, four days of help over Christmas, and four weeks of help over summer (or three if your child's break is shorter than six weeks).
The HAF if not automatic, and you can apply through your local council.
If you live in Wales, councils there give out vouchers, grants, or packed lunches to families eligible for free school meals.
The support varies from area to area, so check with your local authority what help is on offer.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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