{"id":135287,"date":"2023-12-10T11:55:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T11:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/?p=135287"},"modified":"2023-12-10T11:55:03","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T11:55:03","slug":"how-to-get-free-school-meals-over-christmas-are-you-eligible-for-supermarket-vouchers-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/lifestyle\/how-to-get-free-school-meals-over-christmas-are-you-eligible-for-supermarket-vouchers-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get free school meals over Christmas \u2013 are you eligible for supermarket vouchers? | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

THOUSANDS of struggling families can get help with food costs over the Christmas.<\/p>\n

Free school meals\u00a0are offered to low-income families during term time but some families can get them over the festive period too.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Term times vary across the country, but most schools in England will close for the Christmas holidays in the week commencing December 18, before returning in the first week of January.<\/p>\n

Many families feel the financial squeeze pull even harder during the Christmas break.<\/p>\n

But parents whose children qualify for free school meals can claim up to \u00a360 per child, although the exact amount will vary depending on where you live.<\/p>\n

The support comes through the\u00a0Household Support Fund, which is worth \u00a3842million in total.<\/p>\n

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Councils across the country have been given a slice of the funding and can choose how to spend the money and decide who is eligible.<\/p>\n

It can be dished out to struggling residents to help pay for things like\u00a0bills\u00a0and essentials, as well as helping keep children fed during the Christmas holidays.<\/p>\n

Councils can also provide financial support via the Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF).<\/p>\n

The free school mean vouchers are usually redeemable at supermarkets, and some can be exchanged for cash at your closest Post Office.<\/p>\n

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Many councils have already announced what support will be on offer over the Christmas holidays for children who get\u00a0free school meals.<\/p>\n

For instance, thousands of families in Essex who get the term-time help will be given vouchers for the Christmas period.<\/p>\n

Essex County Council will continue to provide each eligible child up to \u00a360 in supermarket vouchers.<\/p>\n

Check with your local council to see how much you can get.<\/p>\n

Who is eligible for free school meals?<\/h2>\n

Children whose parents claim certain benefits are eligible to receive free school meals:<\/p>\n