School Clothing Grants, Free School Meals & Milk
Families on low incomes may be eligible to receive free school meals and milk for their children. There are also grants available to help towards the cost of school clothing.
Applications for the 2023/2024 academic year can now be accepted.
Families in receipt of the following will be eligible for a School Clothing Grant:
- Income Support / Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers' Allowance
- Any Income-Related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit with an annual income of £18,725 or less
- Universal Credit where your "monthly earned income" is not more than £1,560
- Council Tax Reduction through financial assessment (not to be confused with Council Tax Discount)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Families in receipt of the following will be eligible for Free School Meals & Milk:
- Income Support / Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers' Allowance
- Any Income-Related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax credit (but not Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of £18,725 or less
- Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an annual income of £8,717 or less
- Universal Credit where your "monthly earned income" is not more than £726
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
All children in primary 1 to primary 5 will receive free school lunches, regardless of financial circumstances, however families who are in receipt of the above benefits should complete an application to ensure their child receives free milk and a clothing grant. All children in nursery are also entitled to free school lunches but are not entitled to a school clothing grant.
Free school lunches came into effect from 16 August 2021 for nursery pupils, and primary 5 pupils were included from 06 January 2022.
How to apply
If you require help completing an application you can email the Families and Young Peoples Advice Service fypas@westlothian.gov.uk who would be happy to assist.
Please note: you cannot apply for a School Clothing Grant for home educated children
Application Process
We aim to assess all applications within 2 weeks of receipt and we will notify you of our decision by email. However, we may require extra time to assess if demand is high, this is usually between June and the schools returning in August. If your child has been granted free school meals and milk their school will be automatically advised. Normally, clothing grants will be paid into your specified bank account within 7 days of our assessment.
How much clothing grant will I receive?
The current grants are £150 for each primary school aged pupil and £180 for pupils of secondary school age.
Students staying at school over the school leaving age will not be eligible for a clothing grant however they may apply for EMA payments Education Maintenance Allowance
I have already received a clothing grant this year but my child needs new uniform. Where can I go for help?
We would recommend that you speak to your child's school. Many schools run a clothing store or your school may be able to make a referral to the West Lothian school bank. This charity provides school uniform and clothing to families in need.
You may be entitled to other benefits Social Security Scotland - Benefits (opens new window)
Families and Young Peoples Advice Service
Please use this link if you would like a financial health check and support to make sure your income is maximised www.westlothian.gov.uk/families-financial-support
Additional Financial Support
Meal payments during the October 2023 school holidays
A payment of £3 per day per child will be paid for any child in P1 to P5 who received a School Clothing Grant or children in P6 and above if the child is in receipt of Free School Meals due to low income. The payment is made into the same bank account the School Clothing Grant was paid into unless you have told us otherwise. A payment of £18 per eligible child will go into bank accounts on Friday 29 September 2023.
