In the first week of application acceptance, the Municipality has already received 303 applications. Of these, 276 were submitted electronically through the Social Support for Families Information System (SPIS), making this method the most popular, convenient, and fastest.
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“We invite families not to wait until the last weeks of summer and to submit applications now. Those who want free meals and support for school supplies to be allocated before the first day of the school year should submit their application in July or August. The most convenient way to do this is electronically through the SPIS system,” says Zita Ragėnienė, Head of the Social Benefits Division of the Social Affairs Department of Panevėžys City Municipality.
For children studying in the pre-primary education program or in the first and second grades, free lunches are assigned automatically – no separate application is required. However, families wishing to receive the €148 benefit for purchasing school supplies must submit an application and other necessary documents. This support is granted based on the family’s income.
For students studying in grades 3–12, an application must be submitted both for free meals and for support in purchasing school supplies. Social support is granted when the average monthly income per person of all persons living together does not exceed €349.50.
The law also provides for cases where support may be granted to families whose income is higher but does not exceed €466 per person per month. This possibility applies to single parents raising a child alone, families raising three or more children, families with a person with a disability, as well as in cases of serious illness or accidents. In such cases, the family’s living conditions are assessed.
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Applications can be submitted:
- electronically through the Social Support for Families Information System (SPIS);
- by visiting the Social Affairs Department of Panevėžys City Municipality by prior registration or at the Information Desk;
- by mail;
- through an authorized representative.
Along with the application, documents about the family’s income received during the three months prior to the application or about the income of the application month, if the source of income or family status of the persons living together changed in the application month compared to the previous three months, must be submitted.
The income of all persons living together is assessed, including pension assets accumulated in the pension fund, except for statutory exceptions when it was paid due to serious illness or upon determination of 70% or greater disability.
Applications for free meals can be submitted throughout the school year. Applications for support in purchasing school supplies are accepted until October 5, 2026.
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