Concerns over some kids being left out of free school meals payments in East Riding
The council's application process only accepts East Riding addresses, so a child going to an East Riding school but living elsewhere wouldn't be eligible
East Riding residents have raised concerns that the council’s offer of direct payments to free school meal families could leave some children out.
Residents took to social media claiming the council’s application process, which only accepts East Riding addresses, means that children in the county’s schools but living elsewhere were not eligible.
One said the system meant a child living in Hull but attending an East Riding school could be left out of the council’s £15 direct payment system.
They added that families with pupils attending in Hull got their £10 payments through the schools themselves, creating a gap between the two offerings.
An East Riding Council spokesperson said parents in such circumstances should contact their own local authority for support.
The spokesperson added families living outside its area could still be eligible for payments and that the council could support those living in the East Riding with children attending elsewhere.
A Hull City Council spokesperson confirmed their arrangements required eligible parents to apply through themselves but added they could also apply through their child’s school.
A total of 10,804 Hull children and 6,740 from the East Riding are eligible for free school meals according to Department for Education figures.
The spokesperson said:
“East Riding Council is providing financial support to East Riding families who are entitled to free school meals to cover the costs of food over the October half-term holiday.
“Applications can be made until Monday, November 30, and once applications have been verified, payment will be made into a bank account by the next working day.
“The scheme has been introduced to help East Riding residents, including families who live in the East Riding but whose children attend schools in other local authority areas.
“For families who live outside of the East Riding, but whose children attend East Riding schools, we would recommend they contact the council where they live to discuss the support arrangements in place for their local authority area.”
Eligible families can apply for the council’s £15 direct payment at: www.eastriding.gov.uk/learning/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-meals/free-school-meals/
They can call the Welfare Assistance Helpline on 01482 394799 for help with their application.