Scottish government have confirmed that primary and secondary school-aged pupils who would be entitled to receive a free school meal on the basis of low income are eligible for an additional £100 winter hardship payment and £27 free school meals payment for the festive break. As all pupils at Riverbrae receive a free school meal regardless of their family’s circumstances, we are encouraging anyone who is on a low income to apply for a free school meal so they can receive this payment. You can apply at – www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmealsandclothinggrants

Please note that the free school meals service will remain as is at Riverbrae and this process is just to ensure we can make a payment directly into the bank account of eligible families. Anyone who has previously applied for a free school meal for this school year (2020-21) will receive the money before Christmas. Anyone who applies between Monday 30 November and Friday 18 December will receive the money by mid-January at the latest.

Nursery children of low-income parents aren’t entitled to the winter hardship payment, but are entitled to the £27 free school meal payment to cover the festive break. If you are eligible, please apply at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmealsandclothinggrants

Further information on the COVID winter hardship payment (£100 per child) can be found on Scottish Government’s website.