What the payment includes
If you're a parent or carer with a child in primary and secondary school who gets a free school meal due to family circumstances (on certain benefits), you'll get a payment to cover the school holidays.
Easter break free school meals payment
£25.85 per child will be paid directly into bank accounts by Friday 3 April 2026.
This is based on a payment of £2.35 per weekday per child and covers the 11-day holiday period.
You do not need to apply again to get this payment.
Who will get the payments
If your child is in P6, P7 or secondary school and they get free school meals, you'll get the payment automatically.
If your child gets a school meal because they are in primary 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, you'll only get the payment if:
- they're entitled to a free school meal on the basis of low income (family on certain benefits)
- you've applied for free school meals for this school year (August 2025 to June 2026).
If you've already applied for free school meals this school year, you do not need to apply again.
Find out about what payments you could get for your child including:
Free school meals
If you haven't applied for free school meals and you think your child is eligible, you can apply online. You can check if you qualify for free school meals.
You only need to apply once in each school year.
Money, benefits and financial help
Find out on mygov.scot about what benefits you could get for your family including:
- Scottish Child Payment, a four-weekly payment to help with costs for children under 16
- School Age Payment, a one off payment for when children normally start school.
Our Family Advice service is here to support families with children in primary school, nursery, or younger.
The Schools Support Services (provided by Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau) support families with pupils in secondary or an ASN school.