Families in Bath and North East Somerset who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals will this week receive vouchers worth fifteen pounds per child to support food costs during the upcoming February half term.

During the afternoon of Wednesday, February 8th, parents and carers will receive an email from Bath & North East Somerset Council offering supermarket vouchers.

People who received a voucher during the Christmas period will receive the email automatically and do not need to reapply.

Once families reply to the email to confirm they want the supermarket vouchers, a second email will be sent containing the links to access the vouchers.

The first email must be replied to within 48 hours of receipt and the links must be converted into the vouchers within two months of the first email having been received.

Anyone who hasn’t received an email from the council by Thursday, February 9th should email [email protected] or call 01225 477277 (option one). Residents are asked to check their junk or spam folders before contacting the council.

Families who are eligible for benefit related free school meals but have not claimed a voucher previously can make a claim through council’s free school meals vouchers web portal which will open during the afternoon of February 8th.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, said: “Children being at home in the holidays can really make a difference to people’s budgets during this tough period, so we want to support families with the supermarket vouchers. We hope it will ease some of the financial strain of putting food on the table. We also have a cost of living webpage which I’d encourage anyone who is struggling with their finances to have a look at. You don’t need to suffer in silence – help is there for you.”

Households in emergency need can access other support with food across the area, including via the council’s Welfare Support Team and the Community Wellbeing Hub.

There is also a list of foodbanks, food pantries, community cafes and community fridges with opening times and days on the Bath and North East Somerset Food finder website. Click on the link to the ‘matrix document’ to download the list.