If your child is in P1 to P4

Free School Meals are offered to ALL pupils in P1 – P4 without the need for parents/carers to submit an application form. However, an application form must be completed if you also require a school clothing grant for your child in P1-P4.

Don’t forget to submit an application form for Free School Meals for your child when he/she moves into P5 as they will no longer be automatically entitled to Free School Meals.

If your child is P5 or above

You can claim free school meals and a school clothing grant for your child(ren) if you are receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, with an income of less than £16,105
• Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of up to £7,500
• If you are between 16 and 18 years old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school meals for yourself.
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £625

Parents/Carers in receipt of a qualifying benefit will receive an annual school clothing grant of £120 per child in primary school and £150 per child in secondary school.

Please note assistance with school clothing/footwear is not awarded to nursery pupils.  Children over 16 who are eligible to apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance will NOT be entitled to a clothing grant.

For more information on Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit visit the Inland Revenue website.

How do I apply for free school meals and a school clothing grant?

Click Here to apply