Families most in need to receive financial help for Easter

ALMOST 500 pupils from 267 families in Shetland will benefit from a £100 Covid spring hardship payment.

Payments will be made for each pupil registered for free school meals as well as for pupils in receipt of a clothing grant.

Shetland Islands Council said that in addition to the £100 hardship payment, families will also receive a £30 Easter free school meal payment for each eligible child on free school meals.

Although the criteria for the spring hardship payment is based on free school meals eligibility, there is no requirement for the grant to be spent on food. Families will be able to use this payment for anything they need, the council said.

The council’s children’s services director Helen Budge said: “I am delighted that families in Shetland who receive free school meals and clothing grants are benefiting from this support.

“Although the deadline for receipt of the £100 Spring Hardship Payment has now passed, we would encourage anyone who feels they may be eligible for free school meals and/or a clothing grant who is not currently in receipt of these benefits for this school year to come forward and apply.”

Shetland Islands Council has been administering free school meal payments to all eligible pupils during the recent Covid school closures.

Since the schools closed for Christmas, Shetland Islands Council has made payments totalling £76,500 in respect of free school meals.

More information, including how to apply, can be found at https://www.shetland.gov.uk/support-pupils/ema-bursaries-financial-support/3?documentId=435&categoryId=20142 or call 01595 743844.