Current News ๐
Local Authority Update - Guidance on Free School Meals
Guest User
Coronavirus - Benefits and money
Help with food costs while schools are closed
Last updated 2.15pm, Wednesday 25 March
We want to ensure that all our children and young people have access to a lunchtime meal.
We have the following arrangements in place to support families during this period:
Hardship support to families
Please read this information carefully before making application
Eligibility
Children must be born between 31/08/04 and 01/09/2014 to be eligible.
Preschool and early years children are not eligible
Free school meal pupils - School age children who would normally receive a free school meal from the school
This is based on household income or due to being an asylum seeker.
The government has advised that they expect to have a new scheme up and running in the near future. They intend to issue vouchers directly to families. This will not be up and running for a few weeks.
Because of this, the Council has made local arrangements to support families until the national voucher scheme is in placeโฆ
We cannot make a payment if your school has alternative arrangements in place.
The contribution towards a lunchtime meal is ยฃ2.00 per day (ยฃ10 per week) for each school child or young person in the household.
We will be able to pay this money within a few days by the following methods
A bank transfer into a nominated bank account, which is the quickest option
A secure text message that can be used to access cash from a range of Paypoint outlets in the city
A voucher that can be printed and can then be exchanged for cash from a range of Paypoint outlets in the city.
Parents can make an application please submit a request via the Councilโs Welfare Provision Scheme.
The DfE have confirmed that schools will be reimbursed for the cost of provision of FSM prior to the launch of the national FSM voucher scheme, given this schools will be recharged for the cost of the payments when using the Council's scheme. Should schools wish to continue with their own arrangements please send notification of opting out to finance4schools@manchester.gov.uk
Hardship - To support to families facing hardship
Because schools have closed and some families are facing additional financial challenges due to the Covid 19 virus, we want to provide support to families, who most need it.
We are providing a financial grant to parents and carers of the following groups of school age children and young people.
To qualify the family must be:
a Manchester resident or supported by our Homelessness Service; and
whose family has been hardest hit by the recent issues and may be waiting for benefits to be assessed or have a gap in their income due to being laid off etc.
The contribution towards a lunchtime meal is ยฃ2 per day (ยฃ10 per week) for each school age child or young person in the household.
We will be able to pay this money within a few days by the following methods
A bank transfer into a nominated bank account
A secure text message that can be used to access cash from a range of Paypoint outlets in the city
A voucher that can be printed and can then be exchanged for cash from a range of Paypoint outlets in the city.
To make an application, families need to submit a request via the Councilโs Welfare Provision Scheme.
The costs of support to families facing hardship will be met by the Local Authority and will still be offered after the national voucher scheme for FSM is launched.
Apply for a cash grant if you are in financial crisis - Manchester Local Authority
Guest User
You can apply for a cash grant of between ยฃ30 and ยฃ60 if you are in crisis or have an emergency that's out of your control.
See if you're eligible
To apply you must:
live in the area covered by Manchester City Council; and
be 16 or over; and
have no capital or savings; and
get one of the following benefits; Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Guaranteed Pension Credit
not be experiencing hardship because of a decision by the Department of Work and Pensions (if you are, visit http://www.dwp.gov.uk/ or call 0345 608 8545); and
not have already received a cash grant within the last 12 months.
How the cash grant is paid
If your application is successful, we'll email you a cash voucher that you'll need to print out (you can print it out for free at your local library). If you can't do this, you can collect it from our Customer Service Centre.
You can use the voucher anywhere that has a 'Paypoint' terminal and will need to take an official letter or bill that confirms your name and address.
You apply for a cash grant through our 'welfare provision' scheme. You can only apply online and you will need to know your National Insurance number to apply. See where you can use computers for free.
Prim-Ed Parent Information Centre - FREE PACKS
Guest User
To help both parents and teachers deal with this unprecedented situation, Prim-Ed Publishing is launching a โParent Information Centreโ. FREE learn-at-home packs can be accessed here for all classes, with direct links to relevant products for parents and blogs with great teaching tips!
FREE LEARN-AT-HOME PACKS
Extracted from our bestselling teaching resources, download our learn-at-home packs today! Need to continue with learning? Browse through our relevant learn-at-home resources below!
LEARN-AT-HOME RESOURCES
Each of the subject areas below showcase hand-picked resources that can be easily used by parents at home. Browse from a large range that includes daily practice of English and maths to encourage routine and progression, cross-curricular activities that are easy to pick up, and even home projects that can be done using readily available materials.
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
To help you in these trying times, we've temporarily waived our shipping fee and are always here to answer any of your questions. We have e-resources for all your teaching and learning needs, and are always more than happy to give you guidance on advising which resources you need.
Get in touch if you have any questions!
