SPRING HARDSHIP PAYMENT

SPRING HARDSHIP PAYMENT

24th March 2021

Spring hardship payment

The spring hardship payment is a Scottish Government grant of £100 made to all children who receive free meals in a school or early learning and childcare setting due to household low income or qualifying benefits.

  • A payment of £100 will be made for each eligible child in the household.
  • Check below if you already qualify, or need to make an application
  • If you DO need to apply the deadline is Thursday 1 April 2021.
  • The application is quick and easy to complete:  you need your national insurance number, proof of benefit and bank account details

Who will receive the payment?

 
  • Children in P4 to S6 who receive free school meals will be eligible for the payment.
  • The payment will only be made to children in P1 to P3, or early learning and childcare settings, who are eligible for free school meals due to low income or qualifying benefits

How will the payment be made?

 
  • Payment will be made automatically for children who previously received the Winter Hardship Payment. There is no need to reapply. We will use the payment details we currently hold for you.   ( If your bank details have changed you must tell us by emailing fsm@northlan.gov.uk )

When will I receive the payment?

 
  • All children who received the winter hardship payment or were awarded free school meals by Friday 19 March 2021, will receive the payment by Friday 26 March 2021.  
  • All eligible awarded free school meals after Friday 26 March 2021 will receive the payment by Thursday 15 April 2021.

I have not applied for free school meals but I think I qualify.

Will I get the payment?

 
  • To qualify for the spring hardship payment your application, together with the required evidence, for free school meals must be submitted by the end of school term on Thursday 1 April.
  • New applications can be made online :

https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-11/CC_2020_00027%20FSM%20CG%20Form%20only%20Accessible%20%281%29.pdf

  • If you apply after Friday 19 March and qualify, you will be awarded free school meals and will receive the payment by Thursday 15 April. 
  •  
  • If you apply after Thursday 1 April and qualify, you will be awarded free school meals but will not be eligible for the £100 payment.

 

 

 

 

My child meets the eligibility criteria for 2 to 4 year olds, do I need to apply?

 
  • Yes, to qualify for the spring hardship payment your application, together with the required evidence, must be submitted by the end of school term on Thursday 1 April.
  • If you think you qualify for the spring hardship payment you can make a new application:

https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-11/CC_2020_00027%20FSM%20CG%20Form%20only%20Accessible%20%281%29.pdf

  • The application is quick and easy to complete, you will need your national insurance number and bank account details.
  •  
  • You may be asked to provide proof of your eligibility such as a screenshot of your most recent Universal Credit assessment period or a copy of your Tax Credit Letter of Award when you apply.
  •  
  • If your application is approved after Friday 19 March your payment will be made by Thursday 15 April.
Back to News

Useful files