Thousands of Bedford families to get shopping vouchers this Christmas

This Christmas, Bedford Borough Council will continue to give supermarket vouchers to thousands of families entitled to income-related free school meals.

Funded through the Household Support Fund, the council will provide each eligible child £15 per week – it’s thought over 6,650 vouchers will be given to families.

Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below and have applied for free school meals:

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

Two-Year-Old Funding

Families with eligible children will receive their vouchers as they have previously, via an email or through their school or setting’s distribution process. This will be through a new provider, Edenred.

If your child attends an Early Years Setting or nursery class and is eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium or Two-Year-Old Funding, parents/carers will receive one voucher at Christmas.

You can register for free school meals here

Cllr Michael Headley said: “Hopefully this support will mean children and young people in the borough can enjoy their Christmas without families worrying about where their child’s next meal is coming from.”