Guidance for Parents Eligible for Edenred Free School Meals Vouchers

 

Edenred Free School Meals Vouchers: Help and information for parents and carers

 

For Support contact Edenred, below are some useful contact information:

Email: freeschoolmealsparentscarers@edenred.com

Call: 0333 400 5932 - calls will cost no more than the national rate.

Website: https://www.edenred.co.uk/reward-recipients/free-school-meal-vouchers/

 

During these challenging times, many families have been concerned about how they will receive the financial support they need to feed their children at home without the free school meal entitlement during the partial closure of schools.
The government have commissioned a scheme through Edenred UK to help supply families with meal vouchers that you can use in the larger supermarkets. 

What supermarkets are available?

• Morrisons

• Tesco

• Sainsbury’s

• Asda

• Waitrose

• M&S food

We have sent e-codes to all parents currently entitled to free school meals through Edenred. The vouchers will cover a period from now until up to the week beginning the 18th May 2020. Please check your junk mail boxes if you have not received the email.  If you are not currently entitled to free school meals but believe you have the required eligibility, please visit: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/

The e-code can be used to purchase a store voucher that works in the same way as a gift card.  This scheme also allows us to combine funding where a family has more than one child eligible for benefit-related Free School Meals.  So if you have 3 children in your family, all the money for all 3 children will go on the one e-card.

For more information about how the Edenred vouchers work, please click here: https://www.edenred.co.uk/reward-recipients/Free-School-Meal-Vouchers/

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have received an email asking me to provide my bank details, what do I do?

A: Nothing, this is a scam.
We have been alerted by the DfE that some parents have received an email stating:
‘If you are entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported.’
Do not respond and delete immediately.

 

Q: What happens if my child claims universal infant free school meals?

A: Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) is different to free school meals.  UIFSM is available to all children in reception class, Year 1 and Year 2 in a government funded school without the need for registering with the local authority.  The government are only providing vouchers to those in receipt of means tested free school meals so you will not be eligible for vouchers based on previous UIFSM eligibility.
If you are eligible for means-tested free school means you should register even though you’re receiving UIFSM because your child will receive additional financial support including vouchers.  For more information, please visit our other news item: https://www.ramsgateartsprimaryschool.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=5091

 

Q: How do the vouchers work?

A: Parents of children registered for free school meals will be sent an eCode via email from Edenred, the company commissioned by the government to provide families with vouchers.  Parents and carers should also make sure to check their spam folders for this email.  This is why it is vitally important we have the correct email address for you.
Once parents have received their eCode and purchased their gift card, they will be able to redeem them in a supermarket of their choice, from the list provided in the email, by either:
Presenting the gift card, as an e-card on a smartphone or tablet.
Presenting a paper copy of the gift card that you have printed at home.

 

Q: I have not received a voucher?

A: There could be a number of reasons that you have not received a free school meal voucher.  
You need to be registered for free school meals with the local authority.  
The email address on the records we hold for you needs to be up to date.  The COVID-19 restrictions means that vouchers are distributed electronically via email.  If the email address we have on our record is different to the one you use, then you may not be receiving the necessary emails. 

If the reasons above do not explain why you have not received your eCode, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.  

If you have any questions about the provision, the DfE and Edenred have published a really useful FAQ guide for parents.  Please click on the link below….