Free School Meal Holiday Support & Scottish Child Payment
Free School Meal Holiday Payments
The Scottish Government have agreed funding to allow local authorities to provide Free School Meal provision during all school holidays in 2022/23. Free School Meal Payments of £2.50 per day, will be paid for all children and young people who are eligible for free school meals on the basis of low income, in primary and secondary.
Shetland Islands Council have secured funding to extend these payments to families with children in primary and secondary who are in receipt of a Clothing Grant and also to all early years children who are in receipt of Free School Meals or a Clothing Grant.
Free School Meal Holiday Payments will be payable during the Easter, Summer, October, Christmas Holidays and the February long weekend. You will automatically receive these payments directly into your bank account if you have a current Free School Meal award for the 2022/23. You do not need to contact us or make a new application to receive these payments.
| Period | Amount | Payment Date |
| Monday 3rd July to Friday 14th July | £25.00 | Friday 30th June 2023 |
| Monday 17th July to Friday 28th July | £25.00 | Friday 14th July 2023 |
| Monday 31st July to Tuesday 15th August | £30.00 | Friday 28th July 2023 |
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment is a payment from Social Security Scotland made to low-income families to help towards the costs of supporting your family. It's a weekly payment of £25 for each eligible child in your family. From Monday 14th November 2022, the Scottish Child Payment is being delivered for children under the age of 16. If your application is successful, you will receive your payment every 4 weeks.
You may be eligible for the Scottish Child Payment, if you have a child living in your care under the age of 16 and your or your partner are in receipt of at least one of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Social Security Scotland also accept claims if you alone are named on one of these benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
To find out more and to apply, please visit: Scottish Children Payment - mygov.scot.
Scottish Chlid Payment does not affect any other UK or Scottish Government benefits that you, or any person in your household currently receive.