February in-service and occasional holidays 2026
Following the decision to provide direct payments for free school meals during the school holiday periods, these payments will continue to be provided over the February in-service and occasional holiday period for those families of school-age pupils entitled to free school meals who receive a qualifying benefit. In addition, a payment will be made for pupils affected by recent full day school closures as a result of severe weather and/or heating failure where applicable. The payment will be made on Wednesday 11 February 2026 for applications which were approved and processed prior to 4 February 2026.
If you were in receipt of a qualifying benefit (listed below), your child received free school meals as at Wednesday 4 February 2026, and you received a school clothing grant during school session 2025/2026, you do not need to contact us - a payment will be made automatically to you. The Council will contact parents directly where bank account details are not currently held. If you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit for free school meals but did not receive a school clothing grant, please contact us at FBSSchools@pkc.gov.uk.
Qualifying benefits
- Income Support (IS)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (IBJSA)
- Any income-related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- If you are aged between 16 and 18 years old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school meals for yourself
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit where the monthly earned income does not exceed £850
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