Parents can claim cash to cover cost of summer meals

Lanarkshire parents are being reminded that they could be eligible for extra payments over the school holidays to cover the cost of meals for their children.

- ROSS THOMSON

National advice agency Advice Direct Scotland is urging households to check if they qualify for support before schools break up for the summer later this month.

Households normally eligible for free school meals during term time should automatically start receiving payments of £2.50 or £4.80 per day, per child, during the holidays, depending on the child’s age and where they live.

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.

Those who have not yet applied for free school meals, or who might start claiming benefits over the holidays due to a change in circumstances, are being urged to take action.