FROM July 1 it will be easier for parents in Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton to apply for free school meals and clothing allowances.
A new system will cut out the previous tangled web where only three Education Welfare offices in Leigh, Wigan and Ashton-in-Makerfield processed applications.
These offices will close at the end of June. New applications after July 1 will be processed by a network of 12 district offices conveniently located throughout the borough.
Director of Education Bob Clark said: "The whole idea is to offer a more convenient service for parents.
"Eventually free school meals and clothing allowances will be assessed by the Borough treasurer's Department on a combined form alongside Housing Benefits and Council Tax benefit.
"From July 1, however, people will no longer have to make long and inconvenient journeys to apply for these important benefit entitlements, which can mean so much to families with children to support."
The district offices where applications can be made locally are Abram Library, Atherton Town Hall, Golborne Library, Cross Street, Hindley, Leigh Town Hall and Tyldesley Town Hall.
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