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Visit our siteFree school meals and school clothing grants
We can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income. The school clothing grant is £170 per child for primary school pupils and £200 per child for high school pupils. These amounts include a £50 cosy coat payment funded by Fife Council.
To qualify for free school meals and a school clothing grant you must be in receipt of one of the following:
- Income Support
- Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Child Tax Credit only with annual income below £17,005
- Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit with annual income below £7,920
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit, where monthly earned income does not exceed £660
- Long Term Incapacity Benefit (school clothing grant only)
- Widows Allowance - if not in full time employment (school clothing grant only)
- Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit with annual income below £17,005 (school clothing grant only)
All children in primary 1-5 can receive a free school meal without an application however, you must still apply to receive free school milk and a school clothing grant.
How to apply
If you don’t receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction, you can check if you qualify and apply for them along with free school meals and clothing grant.
If you don’t own or rent your home, and want to apply for free school meals and clothing grant separately, this can be done at the link below. You'll need to sign in to your mygovscot myaccount or register for a mygovscot myaccount if you don't already have one.
During Christmas Holidays
Parents and carers of children who receive Free School Meals, based on benefit entitlement, will get a payment of £24.00 (£2.40 per day), per child for the Christmas holidays. You do not have to apply. If you are eligible the payment will be paid into your bank account on Wednesday 14th December, along with the Scottish Child Payment – Bridging Payment.
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment applications are now open for children aged 6 – 15.
It is important that you make your application as soon as possible. If you already receive Scottish Child Payment for a child under 6 but you have older children you must contact Social Security Scotland to let them know.
You can apply online at www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment which should take around 10 to 20 minutes in total. Before applying, you'll need:
- the dates of birth of any children you have
- your partner's details, if you have a partner
- your bank details, if you have an account
If you cannot apply online, you can apply by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. Please be aware that lines may be busy, due to the number of children and families who are newly eligible for this benefit, therefore it may take longer than normal for calls to be answered.
The Scottish Child Payment - Bridging Payment is a payment from the Scottish Government to provide additional help to families of school children entitled to free school meals (excluding P1-5 pupils entitled to the universal provision).
Fife Council will pay the final Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payment on Wednesday 14th December. There is no requirement to apply for the Bridging Payment, this will be paid automatically into bank accounts of those eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Applications for the current school year can be made at any time. The deadline for school clothing grants for this school year is 31st March 2023.
Applications for the new school year usually open on 1st May. Anyone applying for the new year before then will be asked to reapply once the applications are open.
Back To TopWe can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income. The school clothing grant is £170.00 per child for primary school pupils and £200.00 per child for high school pupils.
Back To TopThe first date a school clothing grant will be paid for the 2022/23 session is 21st July 2022. For applications received after this date, payment will be made the following week.
Back To TopYou can apply using the online form available on this page.
Back To TopIf you need help completing the application form you can contact us:
- Online: Contact Council Tax Enquiries online or
- Tel: 03451 551155
If you are entitled to a school clothing grant, a payment will be made direct into your bank account. If you are entitled to Free School Meals, we will notify your child’s school.
If we require further information to support your application, we will contact you.
If you are not entitled to receive Free School Meals and/or School Clothing Grant, we will notify you of this by email or post.
We aim to process your application within 5 working days of receiving it. If you require an update on your application, you can contact us:
- Online: Contact Council Tax Enquiries online or
- Tel: 03451 551155
It depends on individual circumstances. If you have child starting primary 1 or a child old enough to leave school this summer, you will need to apply for them to confirm they will be starting/returning to school.
If you receive a letter from us confirming you will receive a payment/s for all your children, then you do not have to reapply. If you do not receive a letter from us confirming you will receive this grant, then you will need to reapply.
Back To TopIt depends on individual circumstances. If you have child starting primary 1 or a child old enough to leave school this summer, you will need to apply for them to confirm they will be starting/returning to school.
If you receive a letter from us confirming you will receive a payment/s for all your children, then you do not have to reapply. If you do not receive a letter from us confirming you will receive this grant, then you will need to reapply.
Back To TopIt depends on individual circumstances. If you have child starting primary 1 or a child old enough to leave school this summer, you will need to apply for them to confirm they will be starting/returning to school.
If you receive a letter from us confirming you will receive a payment/s for all your children, then you do not have to reapply. If you do not receive a letter from us confirming you will receive this grant, then you will need to reapply.
Back To TopIt depends on individual circumstances. If you have child starting primary 1 or a child old enough to leave school this summer, you will need to apply for them to confirm they will be starting/returning to school.
If you receive a letter from us confirming you will receive a payment/s for all your children, then you do not have to reapply. If you do not receive a letter from us confirming you will receive this grant, then you will need to reapply.
Back To TopIf your child/children receive free school meals, you must notify us of any changes to your household details. For example, if:
- you change address
- you change your bank details
- your child changes school
- your child leaves school
You can report a change:
- Online: Contact Council Tax Enquiries online or
- Tel: 03451 551155
Yes, you will need to apply for your youngest who's starting school this year. You need to apply even if you have older children who you receive the payment for. Generally, when we write to you to confirm that you will receive a payment for your older child/ren, the letter will also say that you need to apply for any child/ren not included on it.
Back To TopIf you apply before 1 May for the term starting after the summer, then yes you will need to reapply.
Back To TopOnce you’ve applied you will need to provide evidence to support your claim. This should be the most up to date, original, award letter for the benefit you receive.
The options for providing evidence are:
- upload it;
- send to the Benefits and Council Tax team at PO Box 18015, Bankhead Central 2, Bankhead Place, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 6GH
You don't need to provide evidence of income if you already receive:
- Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction.
Yes, we will post your original documents back to you via Royal Mail 2nd class post.
Back To TopFor more information on managing your benefits, living on a budget or help to find work, please see our Benefits Section: www.fife.gov.uk/benefits