A MAJOR supermarket is giving free cash to more than a million low-income families this summer.
Iceland is giving parents a cash boost when they redeem their school meal vouchers in one of its stores.
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The offer is available at any of the chain’s supermarkets or Food Warehouse stores.
It comes as research from the value supermarket reveals that over half of parents (54%) will reduce their expenses during the six-week holidays just so they can put food on the table.
Last year 1.9million children in the UK got free school meals, which was an increase of 122,000 pupils since January 2022.
Those eligible for free school meals will receive a £15 voucher per child for the summer holidays from their schools or local councils.
Shoppers that spend their free school meal voucher at Iceland and scan their Bonus Card at checkout will receive £2 back.
The offer is valid from now until Friday, September 1.
The cash is loaded automatically onto their loyalty card and can be used towards their next shop.
You can find your closest Iceland by using the store locator tool on the supermarket’s website.
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The chain’s loyalty scheme works a little differently to others.
It’s a prepaid card that shoppers load money on to and for every £20 uploaded Iceland will give you £1.
You can then use the card to shop online, in-store or on the app.
Customers signed up to the scheme also benefit from member’s-only prices on certain products.
This isn’t the first time that Iceland has rolled out this deal for children on free school meals.
Back in May, the same deal was available over half term to struggling families.
The voucher boost is just one of the initiatives that Iceland is offering this summer to help hard-up households.
The frozen-food specialist is also offering mealtime savings across various products including 50% off household essentials and freezer favourites such as ice creams.
It has also slashed the price on 200 more of its weekly shop items and plans to have mix-and-match offers on all throughout the summer.
The discounter will also be making it easier for parents to keep the kids occupied on a budget with offers on entertainment.
Shoppers can head over to the Iceland or Food Warehouse website for more information on the offers.
Paul Dhaliwal, group sales director at Iceland Foods & The Food Warehouse said: “Families are more likely to be spending their summer at home due to rising costs.
“We want to alleviate some of the stress for parents so they, and the kids, can enjoy that time together.
“Our Summer Heroes initiatives not only help families put food on the table thanks to value prices on household essentials as well as our exclusive bonus card benefits, but it will also help to keep the kids entertained on a budget.”
Who can get free school meals?
Children whose parents claim certain benefits are eligible to receive free school meals:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
If your child receives free school meals during term time then they will be entitled to vouchers during the holidays also.
However, check with your local council as this can change between areas.
You can apply for free school meals through your local authority’s website.
If you don’t know what your local council is you can do a search on the government’s website, it will then provide contact details you need.
Where can I spend free school meal vouchers?
Most parents who are successful in claiming the free school meal vouchers can spend them at the following supermarkets:
But keep in mind it can vary depending on the terms of your vouchers issued by your council or school.
You’ll have to check with them directly to see if any of the supermarkets didn’t make the cut on your specific voucher.
