Clothing grants and free school meals

If you have a child entitled to free school meals, you may get payments during school holidays.

This does not include:

• children who get free meals automatically in Primary 1 to Primary 5, or
• children who qualify through Scottish Child Payment only

Payments are:

• made during school holidays
• not paid for long weekends or in-service days

Payments for Summer break:

26 June 2026 to 19 July 2026

• £40.00 per eligible child paid on Friday 26 June 2026

20 July 2026 to 12 August 2026

• £45.00 per eligible child paid on Friday 17 July 2026

Payment dates for future school holidays will be shared closer to the time.

Benefit criteria

Even though all Primary 1 to 5 children receive free meals at school, holiday payments are only made if you qualify for free school meals based on income.

You must be receiving one of the following:

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit, with earned income of less than £850 in your most recent assessment period

How you will be paid

Payments are usually made:

• directly into your bank account, using the details we already hold (for example, from clothing grant payments)

In some cases, payment may be made by PayPoint voucher instead.

If a PayPoint voucher is used:

• it will be sent to the main contact listed on the school record
• this could be a parent, guardian or grandparent

Frequently asked questions

Q. Who is eligible to receive a free school meal payment during the school holiday period?
A. Any household with a child or young person eligible for free school meals who get any of the benefits listed above. This includes primary, secondary and ASN schools. For more information on whether you are eligible, see the Free school meals page.

Q. Are all children in P1-P5 eligible for this payment?
A. No. Although all P1 to P5 pupils automatically get a free school meal in school, in line with Scottish Government funding arrangements, you will only get this payment if you get any of the benefits listed above. For more information on eligibility, see the Free school meals page.

Q. Does this payment include nursery children?
A. No, nursery aged children are currently not legally entitled to free school meals. The current statutory entitlement is 600 hours per year and does not include the provision of food. 

Q. When will I receive my payments?
A. We aim to have the next payment issued by Friday 26 June 2026. Payment dates for future holiday periods will be confirmed nearer the time. 

Q. Will I get a payment for each of my children?
A. Yes, you will receive a payment for each eligible child or young person.

Q. Do I need to apply for this payment?
A. No. The payment will be made direct into your bank account using bank details we already have from making the footwear and clothing grant payments. In exceptional circumstances we may pay by cheque or PayPoint voucher.

Q. How long do I have to cash-in my PayPoint voucher?
A. The voucher is valid for 1 month from the date of issue.

Q. How do I redeem my PayPoint voucher?
A. Your voucher can be redeemed for cash at any PayPoint outlet, of which there are more than 100 across South Lanarkshire. You can find your nearest PayPoint outlet by searching on the PayPoint website.

Q. Can I cash my PayPoint voucher online?
A. No. PayPoint payment vouchers can only be redeemed from a PayPoint outlet. You can find your nearest PayPoint outlet by searching on the PayPoint website.

Q. I believe I should have received payment and haven’t, who do I contact?
A. You should use our enquiry form.

If you have any other questions about free school meals during school holidays, use our enquiry form.