By Friday 17 December, Renfrewshire Council will make two payments to parents and carers of primary-school children who are entitled to a free school meal on the basis of low income.

The first payment of £160 per child is part of the Scottish Government extending the Scottish Child Payment to children aged six to 16.

The second payment of £22.50 per child is in place of free school meals over the Christmas break.

That means a total of £182.50 will be paid into bank accounts in December.

These payments will only be made to parents of children eligible to receive a free school meal on the basis of low income.

Children who receive a universal school meal (those in P1, P2, P3 and P4) will only receive a payment if:

• your child is entitled to receive a free school meal on the basis of low income;
• you have applied for free school meals.

If you have already applied for free school meals this school year (August 2021 to June 2022), you do not need to apply again.

If you haven’t applied for free school meals, you can do so now using the MyAccount form on the council’s website. You can also check if you qualify to apply. See free school meals payments during school holidays for more information.

Nursery children are not eligible for a payment because they are already entitled to the Scottish Child Payment.  You can apply for additional benefits on the Social Security Scotland website, including:

• Scottish Child Payment – a four-weekly payment to help with costs for children under six (for qualifying parents and carers);
• Best Start Grant – a one-off payment for children between two and three and a half years old (for families with certain benefits).

You can also speak to our helpful  Advice Works team who can give you free and confidential help and support on debt, money and other worries you may have.  Search ‘Advice Works‘ on our website.