As you are aware, Welsh Government have confirmed that payments are to be made to pupils in receipt of Free School Meals during the following periods of time –

School holidays

If you child is instructed by Welsh Government to stay at home for periods other than school holidays

If your child is instructed to self-isolate for 14 days because of a positive case of COVID at their school

Payments are not being made for any other reason. We accept that there are other circumstances where pupils are absent from school, but the Welsh Government instructions are clear when payments can be made.

In terms of the processing of payments, they are being processed in batches to comply with audit requirements and this sometimes leads to families receiving payments at different times and delays in their receipt. We respectfully ask you to be patient and assure you that we are working as quickly as possible to complete all payments due.