Further support for families who receive free school meals

This article provides information on support available for families who receive free school meals.

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 Financial support

There are a range of financial support options available.  The council offer the following:

The government also offers a range of benefits including Universal Credit, Child Benefit and help with Childcare costs, see the range of available benefits on the GOV.UK website.

Help with the rising cost of living

For further information about support available and to check you are receiving all the help you are entitled to visit www.southglos.gov.uk/CostofLiving or call us on freephone 0800 953 7788 or pop into a One Stop Shop in Kingswood, Patchway or Yate.

Housing

Get support and advice on a range of housing issues for both homeowners and those in rental accommodation.

There are a range of grants available to help make your home more energy efficient and lower your heating bills from Warm & Well who administer the grants on our behalf. There are also low-cost loans available for energy efficiency works from our partner Lendology.

Supporting families who receive free school meals in school holidays

We offer holiday activities and food clubs for children aged 5 to 16 years who live in South Gloucestershire, funded by the Department for Education (DfE). Places are free for children who get benefits-related free school meals and your child will also be given a free lunch. Visit the council page on supporting families in school holidays for further details.

Wellbeing support

Change 4 Life is an NHS scheme that offers healthy recipes, nutritional advice, and top tips and activities to help your kids stay healthy. Sign up to Cook Together for regular email recipes complete with easy to follow videos and shopping lists.

One You South Gloucestershire is a free council run service that can help you make important, lasting improvements to your health.

Foodbanks provide short-term, emergency support with food during a crisis. Most food banks need a referral to access their support. Apply for a food bank voucher through the council’s One Stop Shop.

Further advice and support

It can be difficult to work out what solution would work best for you and your family; the council can help. You can speak to one of our One Stop Shop advisors in person or contact us via OSSAppointments@southglos.gov.uk if you’re unable to visit one of our sites. The team will be able to offer advice and also help complete applications to support you.