Free School Meal Holiday Payments
Primary and Secondary pupils only
Free school meal payments will be made to cover school holidays for pupils in P1 - S6 who are registered for free school meals. School leavers are not eligible to receive a payment.
The table below outlines the schedule of payments
|
Free school meal payment |
Amount |
Date payment to be made |
|
Christmas Holiday Payment |
£23.50 |
18 December 2025 for those currently registered and eligible before 10 December 2025 New applications received and processed between 11 December and 19 December will receive payment by 16 January 2026 Any new applications received after 19 December 2025 will not be eligible to receive the Christmas free school meals holiday payment. |
Children receiving universal free school meals (those in P1 to P5 and P6 to P7 on Scottish Child Payment, not qualifying for free school meals) are not eligible to receive free school meal payments.
You can apply for free school meals if you have not applied previously; find out whether you are eligible online or email freeschoolmeals@eastlothian.gov.uk