benefits – Page 30 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Don’t miss out: Apply early for Scottish Child Payment

Parents across Scotland have been applying early for the new Scottish Child Payment that will open on Monday 15 February.

Social Security Scotland is taking applications ahead of the introduction of the new benefit to help manage demand. 56,000 applications were received between Monday 9 November and Sunday 3 January.

Those who apply before the start date will have their payments calculated from 15 February. Parents are encouraged to apply now to avoid losing out on any money.

The new benefit will give eligible families on tax credits or certain benefits an extra £40 every four weeks for each child under six.

Scotland is the only part of the UK where this additional payment for families with young children will be available. The Scottish Fiscal Commission have forecast that the payment could support up to 194,000 children this financial year.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This is a great response to our new payment.

“The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK but there are many more families out there who are entitled to this support and we want to make sure that they get every penny that they are due. That’s why we are asking people to get their application in early so that their payments will be calculated from the first day the payment starts.

“Almost 60% of all children in poverty live in a family where a child is under six so I am proud we are able to introduce it early for families with young children before we roll it out to children under 16 in 2022.

“Significantly more families are now relying on benefits due to the events of the last year – some perhaps for the first time – and this payment will help lift children in Scotland out of poverty.

“COVID-19 continues to challenge us and the required additional restrictions bring additional pressures for families. I know that mums and dads and carers will be balancing many things right now but if you can find ten minutes, that’s all it takes to fill in the application form, it could mean that there is some extra money that could maybe ease the financial pressure that you may be facing post-Christmas and amid the national lockdown.”

Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director for Scotland, said: “Action for Children staff see the effects of child poverty every day and the impact it has on many of the children and families whom we support, care for and work with.

“We recognise that the impact of child poverty is not only felt in purely financial means but is also measured by children having an increase in poverty of opportunity. One simple act to help reduce child poverty is by putting money in the pockets of parents.

“The Scottish Child Payment will offer vital financial support for children, young people, and their families. It can give back choice and dignity. We urge all eligible families to apply for this.”

For those who apply before Monday 15 February, their payment will be calculated from Monday 15 February. For those who apply after Monday 15 February, their payment will be calculated from the date they apply.

More than 2000 Scots receive Young Carer Grant in first year

The Scottish Government has paid £600,000 to eligible young carers in the first year of the new benefit. Over 2000 young carers received a payment between October 2019 and October 2020.

The Young Carer Grant is a payment of £305.10 for young people, aged 16, 17 and 18, who spend an average of 16 hours a week caring for someone who receives a disability benefit.

This is an annual payment and young carers who still meet the eligibility should apply again once a year has passed since the date of their previous successful application. The money can be spent on anything that they like, for example a subscription to a video or music streaming service, new clothes or anything that helps them take a break from their caring responsibilities.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Young Carer Grant is the first benefit of its kind in the UK and I am delighted that we have been able to help so many young carers over the course of the past year.

“We have continued to work with key stakeholders throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure eligible young carers are still getting access to the support they are entitled to.

“These young people play a vital role in our society and I am proud we can help give them the recognition they deserve.

“Young people often don’t realise that what they are doing is caring – it is just part of their day to day life. If you help someone who gets a disability benefit with anything from going to the shops or even giving emotional support, this could be for you. I encourage any young people in this circumstance to look into this, check if they are eligible and to apply. And if it’s been a year since you last submitted your application – make sure you apply again to get your money and treat yourself.”

Cameron, a young carer, now aged 19 from Perthshire said: “I care for my mum, she has mental health issues and she is not able to stand or walk for a certain distance without support.

“I make my mum breakfast, I make sure she’s taken her medication in the morning, I help get her clothes, make her lunch and dinner and take her cups of tea throughout the day. I keep my mum company when I can and have my siblings who care for her too. I support my mum if she needs to go out and about, I’ll go with her.

“One challenge I face being a Young Carer is not getting enough spare time to go out and spend time with my friends. Also not getting enough spare time to study for college assessments and exams.

“I feel like the Covid-19 pandemic has made things more tough because I need to be there more often to support my mum, more than before the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was quite easy to apply for Young Carer Grant, I had the documents ready to print off so didn’t have any issues. I spent my grant on driving lessons.

“This year, I won’t be reapplying as I have now turned 19, but my younger sibling turned 16 recently so I am going to encourage him to apply because he also cares for my mum.”

Emma, a young carer, aged 17 from Perthshire said: “My mum has a long term health condition which renders her physically disabled. I mainly help with practical tasks like cleaning the house and cooking for my family. I also help with small errands like picking up medication and doing the food shopping. I help my mum through her mental health difficulties as well.

“One of the main challenges I face being a young carer is just less time to do everything! Less time to complete things.

“The Covid-19 pandemic increased my workload at home because we were at home more. Also with my mum being high risk it has been pretty nerve wracking.

“I spent my payment last year mostly on personal things for myself like clothes. I also used it to pay for a lot of lunches for school.

“I will reapply for the grant this year and will probably put it towards university.

“Anyone that is responsible for another member of their household should apply for the grant because caring can really take it out of you so it’s nice to have something of your own for you. If you have all of your paperwork ready then it’s easy but if you don’t it can be quite tricky to find the right documents.”

Paul Traynor, Policy and External Affairs Manager at Carers Trust Scotland said: “Carers Trust Scotland commend the Scottish Government for introducing the innovative Young Carer Grant last year, the first of its kind in the UK.

“Many young carers have difficulty accessing and participating in opportunities that are the norm for many other young people. This grant helps to recognise the immense contribution of young carers in Scotland.

“The Young Carer Grant has benefited many young carers to take part in more activities, pursue more of their aspirations and has helped to reduce social isolation.

“Many young carers have benefited from this support over the last year and we would encourage all young carers who are eligible to apply for a Young Carer Grant.”

Report shows positive impact of Best Start Grant payments

Scotland’s least well-off families have seen a marked increase in their income from three Scottish Government benefits, according to an evaluation report published yesterday.

The evaluation of the three Best Start Grant payments shows that families on the lowest incomes were able to buy essential items for their children as a result of these new benefits.

Best Start Grant is available to families on low incomes as their children reach certain key stages. They are able to access this whether in or out of work as long as they get one of eight qualifying benefits or tax credits available through the Department for Work and Pensions or HMRC.

People receiving the payments said that the money helped them stop getting into debt or having to cut down on other essential household spending, such food and bills. People were able to use the money to help buy essential items for their children like cots and prams, as well as to arrange days out for their family or to buy books and clothing.

The most common qualifying benefit among recipients was Child Tax Credit (57,055), followed by Universal Credit (44,810), Working Tax Credit (23,560), and Income Support (18,030). Other qualifying benefits include Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit.

Parents and carers in and out of work who get benefits or tax credits are being encouraged to check if they are eligible and apply.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Our full Best Start Grant package has been in place since June 2019. I’m delighted that just a year and a half later that we are already getting feedback that this money is making a real difference to people’s lives.

“We continue to work hard to make sure that everyone accesses the support they are entitled to. I often hear families say that they don’t think that they can access this support because they are working. I’m glad to see so many families who are in work and on low incomes getting this extra boost. And I know that more families than ever are accessing benefits and this is important additional help for you too.

“I would urge anyone who gets a benefit or tax credits to check if you are eligible for these payments and to apply. And those eligible for Best Start Grant are now able to apply for the £10 per week Scottish Child Payment that will start in February 2021. Parents and carers can make sure they are getting everything they are entitled to by talking to the Money Talk team. This service and the Best Start Grant payments are there to help families maximise their income and to support efforts to tackle child poverty.”

Paula, from Forfar who received the Best Start Grant Early Years Payment for her daughter, Arwen 3 said: “I work 12 hours a week as a treasurer for our local church but because I also receive Universal Credit due to being on my own with two children, I qualified for the Best Start Grant Early Years Payment.

“It was easy and straightforward to apply online and money was paid direct into my bank account once the application was completed.

“I am very good at planning ahead and budgeting for uniforms or school shoes or normal shoes or just clothes and jackets, that kind of thing, so to receive that extra money was just a nice thing for the family and for us to spend time together.

“We received the payment during the summer holidays which was a great bonus, it let us have the opportunity to go away for a couple of family day trips to places like the safari park.”

During the course of the evaluation research, a recipient of Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment said: “I didn’t apply until after she was born because I just thought I’ll not get it.

“Because you do kind of think ‘och no I’m not going to, I’ll never get that’ and luckily when the baby was born I spoke to my friends a wee bit more and I was like ‘do you know what. I will’. What’s the harm? You pay your taxes all your life and work really hard so why shouldn’t you get something back?”

read the full interim evaluation report: Interim Evaluation of Best Start Grant
Interim Evaluation of Best Start Grant: Annex B: Qualitative Research
parents and carers aged 18/19 do not need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit if they are dependent on someone else, i.e. they are named on their parent or carer’s benefit claim. Parents and carers under the age of 18 do not need to be on any payments or benefits to qualify for Best Start Grant
Best start Grant is three payments to help families at key stages in a child’s life

New report: Supporting Scotland’s unpaid carers

A new report has revealed that unpaid carers in Scotland have valued increased support.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) was the first payment introduced under the Scottish Government’s new social security powers. It is given twice a year to those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance as a temporary top-up until full delivery of the benefit is taken over from the Department for Work and Pensions. The payment rate in 2020/21 is £230.10.

The Scottish Government has now published its first evaluation of CAS – and has announced that the next payment will be made on 18 December.

The evaluation found:

CAS has made a positive difference to carers, not just financially but to their mental health and wellbeing
while carers feel more recognised by the Scottish Government, they don’t feel as visible to, or valued by, the wider public
carers want more chances to undertake work outside the home, to help give them a sense of identity outside their caring role and reduce feelings of isolation

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This report gives us a greater understanding of what carers want and need, and we’ll use this to help develop Scottish Carer’s Assistance – our replacement benefit for Carer’s Allowance – so that we can meet the needs of carers better.

“There is no doubting the positive impact Carer’s Allowance Supplement has had on carers in Scotland. And I’m happy to announce the next automatic £230 payment will reach carers in time for Christmas.

“In some cases this payment has made a great difference to carers’ mental health and wellbeing, where it has enabled them to pay off debts or been used towards a trip away to give them a much-needed break.

“I know this has been a hard year for many carers which is why we also provided an additional coronavirus supplement of £230.10 this year. This means around 83,000 carers in Scotland will get up to £690 more this year compared to those in the rest of the UK.”

The majority of eligible carers got the coronavirus payment in June but those who have received backdated awards of Carer’s Allowance since the June payment may get it with their CAS payment this month.

The Evaluation of Carer’s Allowance Supplement can be found here and is the first evaluation of the devolved benefits to be published.

Help extended to parents of children self-isolating

The £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant is being extended to include parents on low incomes whose children are asked to self-isolate, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced yesterday.

The grant will also become available to those who may be eligible for Universal Credit, but have not yet applied.

Both changes will be introduced from 7 December.

Ms Somerville said: “We introduced this grant at unprecedented speed, and I am grateful for the work of COSLA and councils to ensure it is up and running.

“While self-isolation can be difficult for everyone, we know there are particular financial barriers to complying faced by some people.

“We always said we would review this grant to make sure it worked for people who face hardship as a result of self-isolation. That is why we are making changes for some people who are not currently eligible.

“We are extending it to parents of children aged under 16 who need to take time off work because their child is told to self-isolate, and also to people who are eligible for Universal Credit, but have not claimed it – providing they fulfil all of the other criteria for the grant.

“Supporting people to self-isolate is critical to controlling the spread of the virus. These are important changes, and I am grateful to councils for their continued work to support those who can claim this grant.”

COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Councillor Kelly Parry said: “COSLA welcomes the Self-Isolation Support Grant being extended to parents and carers of children who have been asked to stay home from school because of the virus and that it will also include those with an underlying eligibility for benefits.

“Council staff across the country have been working really hard to ensure the grant is accessible to people who have experienced a loss in income after being asked to self-isolate.

“By extending the eligibility for the grants, more people will be helped to stop the spread of the virus over the winter period.”

The Self-Isolation Support Grant provides £500 for low income workers who are in receipt of Universal Credit or other benefits and will lose earnings as a result of having to self-isolate.

Parents or carers of children under 16 who are asked to self-isolate, but who are not required to self-isolate themselves, are not currently eligible for the grant.

This is why the grant will be extended to those parents and carers, where they fulfil the other eligibility criteria:

employed or self-employed and unable to work from home
in receipt of Universal Credit or one of those which will be replaced by UC (legacy benefits)
facing a loss of income from looking after the child during the period of self-isolation

Only one claim per household can be made, where a parent or primary carer is required to look after a child who must isolate.

Eligibility will also be extended to people with a low level of income which means they would be entitled to Universal Credit.

Scots families face disaster if enhanced benefits withdrawn

New report shows 60,000 Scots face poverty as result of UK cuts

More than 60,000 people in Scotland, including 20,000 children, will be plunged into poverty if the UK Government continues with plans to withdraw benefits brought in to provide support through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a new report has shown.

Scottish Government analysis shows that if the UK Government takes away the £20-a-week increase in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits, and reinstates the Minimum Income Floor for the self-employed, as planned in April 2021, Scottish households will lose up to £476 million.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are very concerned about the economic impact of the pandemic on people, particularly those on low incomes. This report highlights that if these cuts go ahead, hundreds of thousands of households in Scotland will see their incomes drop by more than £1,000 per year. This could push even more people into poverty.

“Last year the Scottish Government invested nearly £2 billion to support low income households and to tackle poverty. We have also introduced the new Scottish Child Payment to tackle child poverty head on.

“The UK Government must match our ambition and support people in need. They can start by using next week’s spending review to confirm that they will keep the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits and give people the certainty they need, not wait until April 2021 when people will face a cliff edge.”

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Increasing Universal Credit payments was the right thing to do when the pandemic first struck. It has been a vital lifeline for hundreds of thousands, and it’s right that this support remains in place.

“More people will be swept into even deeper poverty if the £20 uplift is cut. Lone parents will be particularly hard hit, but the impact will be felt by all groups which need this vital support.

“We would urge the UK Government to act on this important evidence, to keep households afloat by retaining this lifeline.”

Scheduling the withdrawal of the £20 uplift and the reinstatement of the Minimum Income Floor to April 2021 will coincide with the Job Support Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme coming to an end.

The Job Retention Scheme has played an important role in curbing unemployment since it was introduced in March, with nearly a quarter of a million workers furloughed in Scotland as of 31 August. If the scheme finishes as scheduled in April 2021, it is likely the number of people claiming benefits will rise further.

The Scottish Government report, Impact of withdrawing emergency benefit measures, can be read in full here.

The Minimum Income Floor (MIF) is a base amount used to calculate how much Universal Credit should be awarded to self-employed people. Anyone earning below the MIF is treated as though they earn that amount, while those earning more have their actual earnings taken into account.

When the UK Government removed the MIF, everyone who was self-employed received benefits based on their actual earnings.

Scotland’s Social Security Secretary recently joined Ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland in writing to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey, asking that they work together to ensure those who are entitled to financial support are receiving it – and to call for the £20 uplift on Universal Credit to be made permanent and extended to other benefits which will eventually be replaced by UC.

That letter can be read in full here.

Devolved nations call for joint effort to reach those in need

Letter urges UK-wide benefit strategy

The devolved administrations have united to call on the UK Government to ensure those who are entitled to financial support are receiving it.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has joined Ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland in writing to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey, asking to work together to create a benefit take-up strategy.

The devolved nations have also asked the UK Government to make permanent the current £20 a week increase for Universal Credit (UC) and extend it to the benefits which will eventually be replaced by UC, such as Working Tax Credits. The uplift was introduced to help low-income families cope with the extra cost of the COVID-19 outbreak, and is to come to an end in April 2021.

Ms Somerville said: “It’s vital that we make every effort to ensure everyone is aware of and able to access the support available to them.

“Maximising benefit take-up is a moral obligation, especially in these uncertain times when there is clear evidence of increased need for support.

“The £20 uplift was needed before the pandemic, and so it is vital now. People must be given the certainty that it will be made permanent and that they are not facing a cliff edge in a matter of months when this support is pulled.”

The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn said: “The pandemic will cast a long shadow on those who are most in need and has reiterated the importance of a robust financial safety net for individuals and families, ensuring existing funding programmes have the maximum impact on the lives of those in poverty.

“Having a strategic UK approach will ensure that everyone can get the support they need during this difficult time.”

The Scottish Government published its first Benefit Take-up Strategy in October 2019, and will publish the next one by October 2021.

The Welsh Government has outlined steps it will take to maximise the incomes of families living in poverty in its Child Poverty Income Maximisation Action Plan.

Northern Ireland’s benefit take-up initiative Make the Call has generated over £260 million in additional annual benefits for its residents since 2005.

It aims to ensure that every individual and household is receiving all the social security benefits and other supports and services to which they are entitled. The most recent results for 2019/20 show that this has benefited just under 10,000 people who are now better off by an average of £88 per person per week.

The Department for Work and Pensions has no published approach to promoting UK benefits or supporting people to access the money which they are due.

Many people need to be in receipt of a DWP benefit in order to claim other benefits – for example the Scottish Child Payment, where eligibility is reliant on receipt of UC, or Pension Credit which means people can claim a Council Tax reduction, or those over 75 qualify for a free TV licence. So it is vital people are aware of what they are entitled to.

The letter can be read in full here:

Joint-Ministerial-letter-Secretary-of-State-DWP-Benefit-Take-up Download

As part of their Benefit Take-up Report – published 11 March 2020 – the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee recommended that the UK Government develops a strategy that aims to maximise take-up of reserved benefits across the UK.

A report by the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisors, published in September, showed a 40% reduction in claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) being made during the pandemic. Almost 90% of those surveyed have never seen a take-up advert for PIP.

Independent Age has called for ‘an ambitious action plan detailing how the UK government will work to increase the uptake of Pension Credit over the next five years’. More details here.

This follows research which concluded that if Pension Credit take-up was lifted from 61 per cent to 100 per cent, then almost 450,000 pensioners could be lifted out of poverty, reducing pensioner poverty to its lowest ever level, and resulting in substantial savings to the NHS and social care systems over the long term.

Applications to open early for Scottish Child Payment

The new Scottish Child Payment – which is unique to Scotland – is to open early for applications from next Monday (9 November).

Social Security Scotland will be taking applications ahead of its introduction on Monday 15 February 2021 to help manage the expected demand.

The new benefit, which will give eligible families on low incomes with children under 16 an extra £10 per week for each child, is planned to be fully rolled out to children under the age of 16 by the end of 2022, subject to data on qualifying benefits being received from DWP.

Ministers have prioritised the early introduction for families with a child under six and despite the impact and disruption of Covid-19, are able to start payments from early 2021.

Scotland is the only part of the UK where this additional payment for families with young children will be available. The payment could support up to 194,000 children this financial year and the payment will be made every four weeks.

The Scottish Government committed to introduce this new payment in June 2019 as part of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK.

“Almost 60% of all children in poverty live in a family where a child is under six so I am proud we are able to introduce it early for families with young children – almost two years ahead of the original commitment for this new benefit to be introduced.

“We are expecting a significant demand for this new payment so are opening applications early from Monday 9 November and will make the first payments in around 15 weeks.

“A great deal of effort has gone into creating this payment – including overcoming the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on plans and work schedules to ensure we get money to the families who need it.

“I encourage all parents and carers who may be eligible to apply now and am asking families to help us by getting their applications in early so that we can process and start making payments as quickly as possible once the benefit starts in February next year.

“Significantly more families are now relying on benefits due to the events of this year – some perhaps for the first time – and this payment will help lift children in Scotland out of poverty.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1324025255715868679

“The Scottish Child Payment can ease the struggle some families face in providing the basics and necessities of life. The impacts of poverty are profound for Scotland’s children, from poor mental and physical health and wellbeing to poor performance at school. The Scottish Child Payment will offer vital financial support for children, young people, and their families. It can give back choice and dignity. We urge all eligible families to apply for this.”

MSP Gordon MacDonald has encouraged parents and carers across Edinburgh who are eligible to apply now so that the Scottish Government can process and start making payments as quickly as possible once the benefit starts in February next year.

The SNP Government has prioritised the early introduction of the new benefit, which will provide eligible families on low incomes with a child under 6, an extra £10 per week for each child.

Latest figures estimate that 194,000 children aged under-6 in Scotland will be eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment – with over 17,500 children set to benefit in Edinburgh.

MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, said: “The Scottish Child Payment is an ambitious, game-changing new benefit which will directly tackle child poverty across Edinburgh and across Scotland.

“This support is needed more than ever, and it’s early introduction for under 6s – almost two years ahead of the original commitment for a new payment – will be a lifeline for so many families in Edinburgh.

“While the SNP does everything it can to tackle poverty, the Tories at Westminster are still helplessly trying to defend their shameless decision to deprive children of free school meals over the holidays.

“Children and families simply shouldn’t have to depend on the whim of Boris Johnson’s callous Tory government to get through this Covid-19 crisis.

“This benefit will be a lifeline for many children, young people and their families in Edinburgh. I’d encourage anyone who is eligible to apply as soon as possible.”

People can apply for Scottish Child Payment from 9 November 2020 by visiting mygov.scot/benefits or calling 0800 182 2222.

New benefit system will offer short term assistance

Payment introduced to protect people when challenging benefit decisions

People challenging disability benefit decisions will be able to claim a new Short Term Assistance payment under Scotland’s new social security system.

Short Term Assistance will mean people continue to receive the amount of money they were getting before the decision was made to lower or stop their payment.

To ensure people are not put off seeking an appeal or re-determination, they will not have to repay Short Term Assistance if the re-determination or appeal upholds the decision to lower or stop their social security payment.

This is a first for benefit delivery in the UK and it will be introduced alongside Child Disability Payment, the Scottish Government’s replacement for Disability Living Allowance for Children.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “People’s lives are complex and making benefit decisions, which take into consideration a whole range of unique circumstances, is difficult.

“Social Security Scotland will gather as much information as we can, working with the applicant, the wider public sector and health and social care professionals to make the right decision first time. However, we know that we won’t always get it right and where we don’t, we want people to feel able to challenge us to look again.

“This is why we are introducing Short Term Assistance. We know that it can be difficult for people who rely on disability assistance when their payment has been reduced or stopped. The decision to ask for a re-determination or appeal can be daunting. This new payment will give people the confidence to ask us to look again and to go to appeal if they feel they need to, ensuring they get everything they may be entitled while working through this process.

“We hope to drastically reduce the need for people to go through the re-determination and appeal process under our new system by getting the decisions right first time. Where we don’t get it right though, we will give people who rely on this service the opportunity to right this wrong, without being penalised.”

Further detail about how the redetermination and appeal process will work is contained in a series of papers that outline the future of disability benefits in Scotland.

These detail what people should expect from application right through to appeals.

Is your child entitled to free school meal payments?

Families struggling to provide food for their children are being urged to find out if they are entitled to receive free school meal payments if they do not already receive them.

Funding from the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government means that free school meal payments for thousands of eligible families will continue over the Christmas holidays and both the February and Easter breaks next year.

In addition backdated payments were made yesterday (Monday 26 October) to support eligible families for the October break period, where the city council already hold their payment details.

The Council is also issuing letters to parents/carers who have been identified as being entitled to free school meals but we do not have payments details for them – these families do not need to contact the Council.

The payments are paid to P1 to S6 children who receive a School Clothing Grant.

Now the Council is urging families who may be missing out on the vital payments to check online to see if they are eligible. Those who already receive free school meals do not need to contact the Council.

The funding announcement comes after the Edinburgh Poverty Commission published their final report last month which highlighted that almost 15% of Edinburgh’s population lives in poverty, including one in five children.

The payment for free school meals reinforces the Council’s commitment to providing much needed support to families through such projects as the Discover! programme which aims to reduce food and financial insecurity during the school holidays and supported over 200 families last week.

Families took part in a number of online cooking, music and art sessions in addition to receiving a Discover! box containing fresh foods, art supplies, active schools kits and information on advice services as well as support with devices at home if they had no digital access.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This provides important support for families across the city and almost 6,500 young people have already benefited from free school meal payments covering the October break.

“This Council and Scottish Government funding means that we’re helping families most in need over the winter months. These are extremely challenging times for everyone but no family should have to worry about how they’re going to put food on plates during the holidays or at any other time.”

Depute leader Cammy Day said: “As the city’s Poverty Champion I’m fully aware of the enormous struggles many people are experiencing so this vital funding means no families need to go hungry in Scotland’s Capital over the winter months.

“The Edinburgh Poverty Commission report highlighted that one in five children are living in poverty so we want to make sure that everyone who’s entitled to receive this financial lifeline can do so.

This is especially important as many families’ circumstances may have changed over the recent months with furlough and redundancies.

“Please check our online application form which outlines who is eligible for funding and apply before the end of November so we can process the payments as swiftly as possible.”

The application form for families eligible for free school meal payments is available on the Council website.