Food vouchers for children to continue for October half term

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Food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals will continue for October half term after Norfolk County Council received additional Household Support Funding from the Government.

It means the vouchers, which are worth £15 per child per week, will be provided for a week, supporting around 28,000 children in the county.

Schools and colleges will be able to order vouchers on behalf of all families who are registered eligible.

The vouchers are available to families in receipt of certain benefits whose children would normally receive free school meals during term time.

Schools can order the food vouchers for pupils using an online service. Families can then either redeem their vouchers via an online code or receive a printed voucher by post, collection or delivery if they don’t have internet access.

Families who do not receive free school meals but who are struggling can contact The Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) for support. The scheme can help those on reduced hours or who have been made redundant because of the pandemic.

NAS can support with food, paying bills and money for essentials for families struggling to meet everyday needs. It can also help with household items like white goods or beds. The support is for two weeks to begin with but anyone requiring more long-term help can work with NAS to access further support. To find out more and apply visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/nas

Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below:

  • Universal Credit – with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190

Children in Reception, Year One and Year Two who receive Universal Infant Free School Meals are not eligible as part of the scheme, unless they have registered their eligibility for pupil premium funding.