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Funded through the Household Support Fund, the council will provide households £25 per eligible child or young person in Bedford Borough for February half term.

The £25 is made up from £15 to support a daily meal and a supplementary £10 allocation, which is being provided to help off-set any extra spend on utility bills and other household expenses.

Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Welfare said, “I’m very pleased Bedford Borough Council is continuing to provide this support for our local families. It is vitally important to us all that no child goes hungry in Bedford Borough. We know what a difference this help can make especially during the colder months and with the rising cost of food, energy and other essential items.

“Hopefully this support will mean children and young people in the Borough can enjoy the school break without families worrying about where their child’s next meal is coming from.

“The Council is also offering a household support grant to households that receive 100% Council Tax Support, via a £50 grant payment, to quickly assist those where this help will make the biggest difference with the growing cost pressures they are facing.

“As we don’t hold bank details for people who receive Council Tax Support, we do need people to get in touch with us. There is a simple form on our website via www.bedford.gov.uk/FinancialSupport to help make it as easy as possible to access this money”.

Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below:

·      Universal Credit - with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax

·      Income Support

·      Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

·      Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

·      Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

·      The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

·      Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

·      Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190

·      Early Years Pupil Premium

·      2Year Old Funding

Families with eligible children will receive their vouchers as they have previously, via an email or through their school or setting distribution process.

The Council and Bedford Borough schools are encouraging more families to register and apply for free school meals, so that they begin to receive the support they need.

To find out if you are eligible and to register for free school meals visit www.bedford.gov.uk/schools-education-and-childcare/education-welfare-service/free-school-meals/  

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