Thousands of families in Northern Ireland will get cash in hand in lieu of free school meals.
Each eligible child will get a fortnightly allowance £2.70, paid directly into the caregiver's bank account, for each day of term that schools remain closed.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and Education Minister Peter Weir said the scheme would benefit 97,000 children.
Ms Hargey said: "My Department is leading on plans to ensure that low income families and vulnerable people get the vital support they need in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
"We have been working closely with the Department of Education and the Education Authority to ensure children who would have access to free school meals every day continue to get support."
Families will receive a fortnightly payment of £27 per child.
Education Minister Peter Weir said: "This is very welcome news to those families who are struggling financially.
He added: "Starting next week, the Education Authority will process payments for some 97,000 children in the same way they do for uniform grants.
"The Education Authority already has the bank details for the vast majority of those in receipt of free school meals so there is no need for anyone to apply."
Mr Weir said the department will be reaching out to families whose details they didn't yet have.
He said payments would also be backdated.
He added: "These families will be contacted via a text message early next week and advised to complete an online form which will then be available on the Education Authority website. It is vital that people respond to any request from the Education Authority, to avoid delay in payment.
"This is a major undertaking, involving thousands of payments in a completely new package of support and the Education Authority will make every effort to get these payments out to families next week.
"We would ask everyone to bear with us as not all families may get the funding at the same time. I want to assure them that they will receive payments which will be backdated."
Ms Hargey said support would be available over Easter, adding: "I recognise that this action alone will not be enough to stop some vulnerable children and families facing hardship.
"My Department is committed to providing a safety net for all those vulnerable and low-income families."
