Families of children eligible for free school meals to get one-off payment

Eligible families in Caerphilly County Borough will receive £117 per child during the school summer holidays.

The one-off payment, approved by the council’s cabinet, came after the Welsh Government withdrew funding for free school meals during the school break.

The payments, which work out at £19.50 per week, cover the period beginning Friday July 21 and ending on Thursday August 31.

Anyone who becomes eligible for the payment after the start date will receive a reduced amount.

Cllr Sean Morgan, leader of the council, said: “As a council we actively listen to the needs and concerns of our communities and the lateness of this announcement [from Welsh Government] has clearly caused distress.

We are aware that the ever-increasing cost-of-living has become a significant burden on our communities and put a strain on household budgets.

We have committed to lobbying Welsh Government to reverse this decision as the council is only able to fund this one-off payment for this summer.”

Following the Welsh Government’s announcement to withdraw the funding, Caerphilly Council confirmed it would dip into its reserves so it could provide free school meals over the summer.

Eligible families will get a letter, allowing a cash payment to be collected from any Post Office branch. These letters are expected from the week beginning July 24.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the council on fsmholidaypayments@caerphilly.gov.uk or call us on 01443 864055.