FREE SCHOOL MEAL UPDATE - 23rd April - Important information

Families with children eligible for Free School Meals will now have received supermarket vouchers covering them for weeks commencing 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th of April.

From Monday 4th May families with children eligible for Free School Meals will now be able to buy food using funds deposited directly into their bank account, whilst schools are closed due to COVID-19. This will provide you with more flexibility on where you can shop and the voucher scheme which is currently being delivered will continue to run alongside the new arrangement.

Cardiff Council has developed this new arrangement to deliver BACS payments, using Parent Pay, an online payment system already used by 91 of Cardiff’s schools. The Council is assisting the remaining 34 schools in signing up to the system to ensure everyone can access the regular payment scheme. At Albany we do not currently use Parent Pay so this is being worked on at present.

Parents or carers with children who are eligible for Free School Meals should receive a letter during this week which will provide information on how to receive the fortnightly payment. For those who are not yet using Parent Pay, there will be a step by step guide on how to register and contact details should you require further assistance.

Parents and carers are encouraged to register to receive payments as soon as they receive their letters so that you can receive their first payment into their Parent Pay account from Monday 27th, April. Those that do not register will continue to receive a fortnightly supermarket voucher.

 Over coming weeks updates will continue to be run on the system to enable families to register and receive a BACS payment instead of a supermarket voucher.

If you have any queries related to Free School Meal provision the helpline is 029 20537250 and the email address is Freeschoolmeals@cardiff.gov.uk

Free School Meal Applications

If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals - Free School Meal Application form is available here, https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Financial-support/Free-School-meals/Documents/Free%20School%20Meals%20App.pdf

Thank you for your continued support. 

Mr Howlett