Local council campaigns to support residents with accessing funding for free school meals and pension credit are set to begin this week.
Published: Monday, 23rd June 2025
Cherwell District Council is launching the campaigns after its wellbeing and revenues and benefits teams identified over 1,150 local families that could be entitled to free school meals and nearly 250 residents eligible to claim pension and savings credits.
The council will be writing to these residents with advice on what credits and funding are available to them, how they can apply, and next steps.
Councillor Lesley McLean, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property, and Regeneration, said: “The recent success of our winter pension credit campaign highlighted the dedication and work our officers put in behind the scenes to ensure residents are aware of the support they are entitled to.
“Our teams have continued this work to identify families and older residents who are eligible for free school meals, pension and savings credits. Residents’ wellbeing is something we have at the heart of what we do, and I am thrilled that over 1,300 residents will be receiving help to claim additional financial support that will help them with their day-to-day living.”
The take-up campaigns are being assisted by the Low Income Families Tracker, software purchased by Oxfordshire County Council which brings data together in a new way to help councils more easily identify households which might be eligible for benefits but not claiming them.
Families that qualify for free school meals can also register for YouMove, a council supported healthy lifestyle initiative that provides low-cost and free activities across Cherwell.
Activities are tailored so all family members can participate and offer a range of activities including soft play, swimming, climbing, tennis, football, dance and arts and crafts.
The council is working alongside Age UK to inform older residents about pensions and savings credits and other services they may be able to access.
Further information about eligibility criteria and how to apply for pension credit can be found online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.