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Free school meals and school clothing grants
**Please note: If your child is going to high school in August 2021, but you've only received £120 for them, you will receive the remaining £30 payment before the end of August. There is no need to contact us to arrange this payment.**
We can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income. The school clothing grant is £120.00 per child for primary school pupils and £150.00 per child for high school pupils.
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 £16,105
- Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit with annual income below £7,500
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit - including those with a take home pay of up to £625 per month
- 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 £16,105 (school clothing grant only)
All children in primary 1-4 can receive a free school meal without an application however, you must still apply to receive free school milk and a school clothing grant. From January 2022 this will be extended to include children in primary 5.
How to apply
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Applications for these grants usually open on 1st May. Anyone applying before then will be asked to reapply once the applications are open.
Applications for the current school year can be made at any time. The deadline for school clothing grants for this year is 31st March.
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 £120.00 per child for primary school pupils and £150.00 per child for high school pupils.
Please Note: If your child is going to high school in August 2021, but you have only received £120 for them, you will receive the remaining £30 payment before the end of August. There's no need to contact us to arrange this payment.
Back To TopThe first date a school clothing grant will be paid for the 2021/22 session is 22 July 2021. 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
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, or
- your child leaves school.
You can report a change;
online - Report a Change Online by telephone on 03451 551155, or write to us at your Customer service centre.
Back To TopYes, 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 Rothesay House, Rothesay Place, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5PQ
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