PayPoint vouchers ensure free meals for kids during pandemic

Around 18,000 children in North Lanarkshire continue to receive free school meals despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The council has implemented a system offering one £20 voucher per week per eligible child, sent via text, email or post.

This can be used at any shop which has PayPoint.

“With the closure of schools and early learning and childcare settings councils have rapidly set up bespoke methods to ensure that eligible children continue to receive free school meals, whether that is through vouchers, direct payments, home deliveries or providing food through community hubs,” commented Cllr Stephen McCabe, COSLA spokesperson for children and young people.

To redeem the voucher, take your chosen food to the counter and exchange the voucher for cash, which must be spent in the same shop. This is to prevent any unnecessary travel and support local businesses.

A council spokesperson said: “We monitor the PayPoint system to ensure that vouchers are being used. Some shops might refuse to take the voucher and usually this is because people are not spending the voucher in their shop so they are running out of money. If this happens you should go to your next nearest PayPoint shop.”

Anyone with queries about free school meals should send an email to [email protected].

Across Scotland, 140,000 children are receiving free school meals.

Last month the Scottish Government announced a £350 million communities support package announced to help those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Free school meals are a key measure for families, children and young people who need some extra help and I am pleased that so many are receiving them. We have worked closely with local authority partners to ensure they are able to put in place provision that meets local needs and circumstances,” Deputy First Minister John Swinney said.

UK government has a national voucher scheme to allow eligible children access free meals whilst they stay at home.

The scheme provides for weekly shopping vouchers worth £15 to spend at major supermarkets.