- Glasgow City Council
- > Schools and Learning
- > Grants and Allowances
- > Clothing Grants and Free School Meals
Clothing Grants and Free School Meals
GCC are providing funding to support eligible families over the October holiday break for children and young people who are in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) P1 to S6. The payment for each child will be £12.50.
This will not apply to Early years establishments.
You will automatically receive the October payment directly into your account if you are still eligible and meet the criteria below - you DO NOT need to contact us or make a new application.
All P1 to P5 pupils receive the universal meal at school however only the families eligible on financial grounds will receive this additional payment.
Payments will be made from Friday 13th October 2023. For more information see under Free School Meals / Breakfast Club section.
Free School Meal/Breakfast Club
Important
You will automatically receive the October payment directly into your account if you are still eligible and meet the criteria below - you DO NOT need to contact us or make a new application.
If you are currently not in receipt of free school meals and think you are eligible, please access the application by clicking this link Application Form Link
New applicants will be notified by email if they are successful or not. If you are successful and receive an email confirming this by 21st September 2023, you will be paid by Friday 13th October 2023.
Applications received after 15th October 2023 and meet the criteria will only receive Free school meal and not the additional payment for the October break.
Please do not make contact with the team until after these dates
Changes to bank account details can be made by completing our online enquiry form, clicking here Enquiry Form
Please check the qualifying benefits below before applying.
***School Closures due to Industrial Action***
Due to industrial action, Glasgow City Council's Education Services have been left with no option but to close schools to some pupils on the following days: -
Tuesday 26 September 2023
Wednesday 27 September 2023
Thursday 28 September 2023
If your child is in S4, S5 or S6 then secondary schools will be open for them to attend - with the exception of the Glasgow Gaelic School/Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu (Secondary) and ASL secondaries.
Free school meal payments of £2.50 per day (£7.50) for all other free school meal entitled families (P1 - S3) will be made retrospectively directly into bank accounts along with the October payment.
Any S4, S5 or S6 pupil who chooses not to attend school on these days, will not receive this payment.
Who is eligible for Free School Meals?
You may be eligible for Free School Meals if you have a child that attends a Glasgow school, and you receive any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (UC), and your monthly take home pay is £726 or less.
- Income Support/Income based Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) or any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit, with an annual income of less than £18,725
- Both Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £8,717
- Asylum Seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Please refer to the guidance notes [1Mb] for help with documentation requirements.
Clothing Grant/Free School Meals enquiries
You can make an enquiry about a Clothing Grant and/or Free School Meals by completing our online enquiry form here.
If you have submitted an application form, please allow 4 weeks from the date of submission before contacting us.
If you have been asked to provide further information, you can submit this via the enquiry form.
For enquiries relating to Parent Pay, please contact your child's school.
For enquiries relating to the Scottish Child Payment, please contact Social Security Scotland
Who is eligible for a clothing grant?
Families on low incomes may be eligible to receive a School Clothing Grant award of £120 for a Primary-aged child or £150 for a Secondary-aged child. The award is given annually to assist with the cost of purchasing essential school clothing for families who are on a qualifying benefit.
You may be eligible for a Clothing Grant if you have a child that attends a Glasgow school, and you receive any of the following benefits:
• Housing Benefit / Council Tax Reduction (this is not Council Tax single person's discount or student discount)
• Universal Credit (UC), and your monthly take home pay is £726 or less.
• Income Support/Income based Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) or any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit, with an annual income of less than £18,725
• Both Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £18,725
• Asylum Seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Children attending an Early Years establishment are not eligible for a Clothing Grant.
If your child attends a school managed by another Local Authority, you must apply to that Local Authority for a Clothing Grant and Free School meals.
Please refer to the guidance notes for help with documentation requirements. You may also qualify for free school meals - check 'Who is eligible for Free School Meals / Breakfast Club' for full criteria.
Updating your information including bank account details
IMPORTANT -If you have changed your bank details, you must inform us immediately to avoid your payment being delayed.
You can provide your bank details by completing our online enquiry form. We cannot take bank details over the telephone.
You must also advise us of any change in circumstances as this could affect your entitlement.
The Scottish Child Payment
The Scottish Child Payment is now available for eligible children up to the age of 15.
If you are eligible for the Scottish Child Payment, you should apply for it as soon as possible. Delaying your application may result in you losing out on money you would otherwise be entitled to.
You should apply for Scottish Child Payment if you:
- receive a low-income benefit such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or Pension Credit
- have responsibility for a child or children under the age of 16
- live in Scotland
Given the large number of children who will become eligible for the Scottish Child Payment it means that people applying for the first time might need to wait longer than usual to get their award. However, you should not delay making your application. Successful applications will only be awarded from the date they are received.
Eligible families and carers can find out more and apply at online at www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment or by calling Social Security Scotland on free on 0800 182 2222.
ApparelXchange
ApparelXchange are a social enterprise dedicated to reuse, repair & recycling for childrenswear, with a mission to reduce the impact of clothing on the planet.
They sell high-quality preloved children's clothing, including uniforms, at highly affordable prices.
They also offer free clothing to families when times get challenging. Find out more and shop for affordable uniform at the AXC website.
