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Free school meals and clothing grants

You may be entitled to apply for free school meals if your child attends a North Lanarkshire school.

All Primary 1 to 5 children are automatically entitled to receive a free school meal.

Applying for free school meals and clothing grant

Clothing grant payments will be made automatically for families who currently receive a council tax reduction for children detailed on their claim. This is for claimants who have previously applied and provided permission to check our records.

A text message/email will be sent once payment has been made.

If you have changed your bank details, you must inform us immediately to avoid your payment being delayed. Please provide a new sort code and account number along with your name, address, and national insurance number.

You have previously given us permission to check our records to see if your child/children are entitled to education benefits. If you change your mind and no longer wish us to check your records, please let us know. You will still be able to apply manually.

The deadline for school clothing grant applications for this school academic year is 31 March 2025.

Payments

Applications will be processed as soon as possible. We will then contact you with a payment date.

For session 2024-2025 the clothing grant is:

  • £150 for primary school pupils
  • £175 for secondary pupils

Payment will be made by BACS payment directly into your bank/building society account.

If you have any problems regarding your payment you should call the team 01698 403203 or email fsm@northlan.gov.uk

Only one clothing grant will be paid for any pupil during a school year.

Eligibility

Free school meals and clothing grant eligibility table
Benefits received School meals Clothing grant Proof required
Income Support  Yes Yes Letter confirming entitlement to benefit
Job Seekers Allowance (Income-based)  Yes Yes Letter confirming entitlement to benefit
Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related)  Yes  Yes Letter confirming entitlement to benefit
Universal Credit (earned income reported by employer of £796) Yes Yes Letter confirming entitlement to benefit
Child Tax Credit (gross annual income less than £19995 and no element of working tax)  Yes No Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A)
Maximum child tax credit and working tax credit (gross maximum income below £9552)  Yes No Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) 
Support under V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Yes No  Confirmation letter/Home Office
Housing Benefit (housing element of Universal Credit is not housing benefit) No  Yes Current Letter to show receipt of Housing Benefit
Council Tax Reduction (Single persons discount/exemption is not council tax reduction) No Yes Current Letter to show receipt of Council Tax rebate

Your child will also be entitled to free school meals if they are, or have been at any point since their second birthday, 'looked after', the subject of a kinship care or guardianship order.

Students aged between 16 and 18 who receive any of the qualifying benefits can apply for free school meals in their own right.

Returning 16+ students

Students who will be 16 years of age or over by 30 September (children of school leaving age) should be included on your form.

Clothing grant payments will not be made until pupils return to school in the new session and this has been confirmed by the school.

If you have any enquiries please contact the Free School Meals and Clothing Grant Team on 01698 403203 or email fsm@northlan.gov.uk

Change of circumstances

It is your responsibility to notify the team of any change in circumstances as this could affect your entitlement.

Dietary provision

If you receive qualifying benefits and your child has any special dietary needs this should not disqualify parents from making an application.

Free School Meals can be provided to children with medically diagnosed dietary needs.

Appeals

If your application for a clothing grant is refused and you disagree with the decision you can submit a letter detailing the grounds on which you wish to appeal. This should be sent to:

Head of Education & Families
Civic Centre
Windmillhill Street
Motherwell  ML1 1AB

Page last updated:
10 Jun 2024

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