Eligible families across Cambridgeshire will again receive supermarket vouchers for the school summer holiday.
Cambridgeshire County Council is continuing to run its holiday voucher scheme using the Household Support Fund from the Department for Work and Pensions and additional funding provided by the Council.
This summer holiday each eligible child or young person will be sent two £37.50 vouchers via email or text. The £75 total is made up of £50 from the Government, plus an extra £25 agreed by the County Council’s joint administration as part of their budget.
The first voucher will be sent on Saturday 22 July followed by the second on Saturday 12 August. Families will be able to choose from 10 different supermarkets.
Any children who become eligible up until 31 August 2023 will also receive vouchers - these will be sent when the Council is notified of any newly eligible children.
Those eligible for the vouchers are pupils who meet the following criteria:
- Eligible for income related funded two-year-old education (aged 2)
- Eligible for income related Early Years Pupil Premium (aged 3 and 4)
- Eligible for income-related free school meals (4 to 16)
- Eligible for 16+ bursary (16 to 19)
- Receiving an Education, Health and Care Plan (up to 25).
Vouchers are allocated through an online system with parents receiving vouchers by text and email.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of the Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “I am delighted that we are again able to offer help to families who may be struggling with household bills. Thousands of families have already benefitted from the supermarket vouchers, but we know times are tough and we are here to help. The economic landscape is challenging, but I know from the feedback we have had that families are grateful for our help. We will continue to do our best for the children and young people of Cambridgeshire.”
The voucher scheme will run alongside the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme (operating at Easter, summer and Christmas), with eligible parents able to access both schemes. Further information on the HAF scheme can be found here.
Parents can check if they are eligible for free school meals here.
