Skint Dad

Where Every Penny Counts

  • Home
  • Save money
    • Latest supermarket offers
    • 1p Saving Challenge
  • Make money
    • Best Paid Surveys
    • Quidco New Member Offers
    • Genuine Work From Home Jobs
  • Manage money
  • Cheap recipes
    • Fakeaway Recipes
  • Win
    • Skint Dad competitions
  • Deals
    • Amazon Discount Tool
  • Join us
    • Newsletter
  • About
Home / Save Money / Free school meals voucher scheme relaunching next week

Free school meals voucher scheme relaunching next week

By Naomi Willis | last updated 13th January 2021 | This post may contain affiliate links

Win BIG cash prizes with your postcode! 100% FREE to enter
Share
Tweet
Pin

After two weeks of waiting, and parents being given poor quality food parcels, the government has confirmed the free school meals vouchers restart from 18 January 2021.

packed lunch

Since photos of the food parcels showing what parents were provided to feed their kids went viral online and were picked up by mainstream media, it was clear something had to change.

There was a call for the free school meal voucher scheme to be reintroduced immediately so parents could access food their children would eat.

Many of the food parcels looked like the contained close to £5 of food (and some of it mouldy), instead of closer to £15 if they purchased the food themselves.

Having looked at what was meant to be in a food parcel vs how much it would cost at a normal supermarket, it’s even clearer that parents can shop smarter and feel their children a balanced diet if they have vouchers.

National voucher scheme relaunched

girl eating packed lunch

It’s been two weeks since lockdown, and the government has now confirmed the voucher scheme will be relaunched.

From week commencing 18 January, schools can start to order vouchers for pupils and distribute them, the same as in the previous lockdown.

All schools will manage how they provide free school meals support. Some may offer vouchers, whereas others may continue to offer a packed lunch each day/week. It’s best to check with your child’s school how they plan to continue with the scheme.

Naomi Willis commented:

“It’s clear the government needed to move fast to reinstate the national voucher scheme after many children were not given adequate lunchtime food supplies.

“Numerous food parcels followed government guidance, but far too many fell short to feed hungry children. There also appeared to be a lack of foods for children with particular dietary needs or food intolerances.

“Giving parents the ability to use the national voucher scheme will mean there is a more consistent approach, and all children’s needs can be catered for at home.”

How can I get the vouchers?

school lunch at home

Free school meal vouchers are offered via your child’s school, and they can claim money back from the Department of Education.

You need to receive certain benefits, including Universal Credit.

With furlough, losses of jobs and change in circumstances over the last year, more people may be entitled to claim support from the government to help boost their income.

You can check what benefits you’re entitled to on the Turn2us website.

If you are eligible for UC and start claiming, contact your child’s school and let them know so you can be offered the free school meal vouchers.

You’re also able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

There has also been an extension of free school meals to NRPF groups.

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Naomi Willis
Editor at Skint Dad
Naomi knows the burden of living on very little and became debt free by learning from past mistakes and following her own money saving tips and tricks.
Latest posts by Naomi Willis (see all)
  • M&S increase £15 free school meal voucher to £20 - 15th January 2021
  • Supermarket offers, deals and bargains this week at Aldi, Asda, Iceland, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and more - 15th January 2021
  • Sainsbury’s TU 25% off clothing | 2021 sale dates - 14th January 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

final sd bio
Skint Dad in the media
HIBS100 Index of Home and Interior Blogs
HIBS100

Find out how to

Save money

Make money

Manage money

Start a blog

Eat cheap

Win competitions

Join us

Information

About Skint Dad

Contact us

Awards, Media and Press

Jobs at Skint Dad

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Terms & Conditions

SKINT DAD®

8b Lonsdale Gardens
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1NU

Skint Media Limited
is a registered company
in England & Wales.

Company reg no: 09991508
VAT No: 318 7349 80

Check out our sister site Skint Chef

Copyright © 2021 · Skint Media Limited · All rights reserved · Registered in England and Wales with company number 09991508 · Sitemap · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Terms and Conditions

Skint Dad | Where Every Penny Counts! Logo Header Menu
  • Home
  • Save money
    • Latest supermarket offers
    • 1p Saving Challenge
  • Make money
    • Best Paid Surveys
    • Quidco New Member Offers
    • Genuine Work From Home Jobs
  • Manage money
  • Cheap recipes
    • Fakeaway Recipes
  • Win
    • Skint Dad competitions
  • Deals
    • Amazon Discount Tool
  • Join us
    • Newsletter
  • About