12,000 families to get “lifeline” food vouchers this Easter

Supermarket vouchers are being distributed to struggling families to help with rising food costs

Thousands of Rotherham families will receive “lifeline” supermarket vouchers this week to help with the cost of food for their children over the Easter school holidays.

Rotherham Council has been funding the voucher scheme for families of the 12,000 local children entitled to benefits-related free school meals since October 2020 when the Government opted to end a national scheme it had established during the pandemic.

And the Council’s Cabinet recently committed an extra £2.5m to extend the scheme by a further year, up to and including the Easter school holidays in 2024.

The value of the vouchers equates to £15 per week, the approximate amount it costs to provide a meal for each child when they are in school.

Councillor Victoria Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen the number of children entitled to free school meals increase by more than a third. And the pressure on families has been compounded by a cost-of-living crisis that has led to a sharp increase in household bills and food prices. People are struggling.

“For the last two and half years the Council has continued to prioritise funding for the supermarket voucher scheme. It’s been a lifeline for many families. Eligibility for free school meals is means-tested against strict national criteria, so we know we are targeting support for families in the greatest need – support which we are also committed to continue for the next 12 months. 

The vouchers are being distributed by schools on behalf of the Council.

Parents can check if their child is eligible for free school meals on our website.

The extension of the free school meal voucher scheme was part of a package of targeted measures agreed by the Council’s Cabinet to support local people with the cost of living. Other initiatives for 2023/24 include: 

  • £1.2m to provide Local Council Tax Support top up payments
  • £400,000 extra for Discretionary Housing Payments to help with rents
  • £500,000 to help local residents with energy bills through the Energy Crisis Support Schem
  • £180,000 towards crisis food parcels provided by local food banks.
  • £90,000 to help care leavers with utility bills
  • £45,000 to help local voluntary and community organisations to provide additional support to vulnerable households over Christmas / New year

Further information on the support available, together with other money-saving advice and help is available on our Money Matters website.

Published: 30th March 2023