Free school meals vouchers?

[PumpkinP]

We’ve had nothing from the school yet, just wondering if anyone has had anything either?

Hi, yes we've had it the school sent a link through, we just had to click on it and select one of the stores, then they sent the evoucher gift card through within 24 hours.
Maybe just email the school and ask if they have started it yet in your area.

We did not get the government email until yesterday. We have spent since then double checking parents emails and some people have still not replied. We will then upload the list & parents should get emails with their link. However, as we had already sent vouchers home to cover the last 2 weeks which we funded ourselves, the government scheme for our parents won’t start till after the Easter holidays

Seems a lot of people already getting them, don’t know why my kids school hasn’t done yet.

Are the government doing it for the Easter holidays too?

No

We haven't had any government email, however the children were sent home with a letter on the last day of school, which we had to take along to our local children's centre. We were given a £10 Asda voucher per child for the two weeks between school closing and the Easter holidays (will not get them during the holidays).
The lady on the desk said that the plans had been put together in a hurry, hence having to collect in person. She told us that after the holidays we would more likely be sent an e-voucher.
I'm interested to see whether the government scheme supersedes our council's, as I have read that they will be issuing £15 per week, not £10 (for comparison, my children get £11 a week at school).

Do you know if this will include children in Reception and Year 1 as well?

It’s only for benefits based free school meals, not Universal FSM (R&KS1)

I’m on income support so definitely should have been entitled. Still nothing today. Seems abit off some people have had theirs for a couple of weeks. I’m struggling as it’s costing a fortune.

Email your school.

If you are registered having a child on fsm they should support you. As has been said not for standard meals in reception and KS1 they would have to know you need them.

My dc have had it and they are in ks1 only-not eligible for fsm otherwise. We have had vouchers emailed through.

On further investigation, this may be because I’m classified as a key worker so still eligible.

I had an email from my school today about the vouchers. It said to keep checking emails and junk folders for the vouchers but I haven't received anything yet.
It's a really good thing and will be a big help.

I think the only slight worry is that it can only be used in store it would have been good to have the choice of using it online, if anyone is lucky enough to get a delivery!
I have been avoiding going to the supermarket as I am a single parent with no help but now I will have to go with my vouchers. If everyone gets theirs at the same time then the supermarket is going to be busier.

It's a small town with one Tesco and our school is classed as being in a deprived area so probably a lot of people will be eligible for them.

My shopping is around £40 More than usual as there isn’t really any deals on anymore, I’m sure I read somewhere that they stopped doing multi buys, and I’m having to buy bigger packs of things because of the 3 item limit. definitely no email.

@PumpkinP have you applied? This may sound like a stupid question and I don't mean to offend, I am simply asking because we had parents asking about vouchers only to find out they hadn't applied.

Do you know if any other parents from the school have received vouchers yet?

Give them a ring on Monday - the school will be open.

Our schools aren't using the system yet as there were some glitches with it, so are supplying food packages at the moment.

@PumpkinP did your children normally have FSM? What has your school been doing in the last few weeks?

I wasn’t aware you was meant to apply? Everyone I know has had them sent them automatically? I had an email when they school first closed to say they were arranging lunches that needed to be collected, I didn’t go to get them as I am not in a position to collect. That was for the first week then another email to say they were going to start giving vouchers as it was decided the school meals weren’t workable and that they would be in contact when they have more information. Not heard anything since.

Our school emailed today and said they've decided not to do the vouchers and are instead giving us a box of food as this is better value for money.
No word on how / when / anything else yet

Cash payments here. Backdated 2 weeks, first payment was today.

They were doing lunches the first week and I assume are probably still doing that. This wasn’t suitable for us. Yes they get fsm.

Nope. They sent an email today saying to look out for your code email, then it never came 🤷‍♀️

We got vouchers for Asda a few days ago in the post, I didn’t sign up for them so wasn’t expecting them. Was also surprised you can use them on Asda George online too so in theory could be buying all sorts with them.

Can they deliver the food to you OP? That is what our school is doing for the families who can't collect

Or could you get one of the local community groups pick up and deliver for you?