Clothing Grants and Free School Meals

Clothing Grants - School Session 2023/2024

Clothing Grant payments will be made automatically for families who are currently in receipt of Council Tax Reduction from Glasgow City Council and their children are detailed on their claim. You do not need to re-apply.

If you do not receive your payment automatically, you can apply online from 12 June 2023.

The processing timescale for new applicants is 4 weeks. You must provide all requested information with your application, or your payment may be delayed.

 

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. 

 

When will the award be paid to me?

Clothing Grants are paid directly into bank accounts by BACS.

If you are eligible for an automated Clothing Grant payment, and you have provided us with up-to-date bank details, you will receive the Clothing Grant payment directly into your account from 9 June 2023.

New applicants will receive the Clothing Grant payment within 4 weeks of us receiving a fully complete application.  If we require additional information, your payment will be delayed.

Eligible pupils aged 16+ by 30 September 2023 (pupils of school leaving age) will receive the Clothing Grant payment after pupils have returned to school in August 2023.

 

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 - see below for full eligibility criteria.

 

Free School Meals & Breakfast Club

If you have not made an application for Free School Meals and think you are entitled, please complete an application form by clicking this link Application Form Link

If you received the Spring payment in March or have been awarded FSM since then, you will automatically receive the Summer FSM payment of £87.50 and you do not need to contact us.

Please note children going into P1 in August 2023 are not eligible for the summer payment.

New applicants who meet the criteria and apply before 12 August 2022 will be paid the summer FSM payment within 4 weeks of submitting their application. Please allow 4 weeks before making contact with us.

Applications received after 12 August 2022, if eligible, will only receive free school meals and not the Summer FSM payment.

If you are financially eligible for Free School Meals (in receipt of an eligible benefit), you will receive holiday FSM payments.  You will also be eligible for free Breakfast club for your primary-aged children - for further details, click here   

All Primary 1 to 5 children are automatically entitled to receive a free meal when attending school but not all children are eligible for the payment during school holidays. Parents must be financially eligible to receive holiday FSM payments and free Breakfast Club.

 

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

 

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.

 

FAQ's

1.  Will I receive the grant payment automatically?

You will automatically receive a Clothing Grant payment if:

• You receive Council Tax Reductionfrom Glasgow City Council, and your children are name on your claim for Council Tax Reduction

BUT

• Your Children must attend a school managed by Glasgow City Council

If you change your bank account, you must let us know as soon as possibleto avoid any delays with your payments. Please submit an enquiry form (see out web page) to update your bank account details - we can't take bank details over the phone.

 

2.  When will I get paid?

If you are eligible for an automatic payment, and you have already given us your up-to-date bank details, you will receive your Clothing Grant payment from 9 June 2023.

If we don't have your up-to-date bank account details, this will delay your payment.  You must complete an online enquiry form to provide your details.

New applicants (i.e. any applicant not in receipt of Council Tax Reduction and receiving the payment automatically) can apply online from 12 June 2023.  You must allow 4 weeks for your application to be processed.  If you don't supply the required proof with your application, your payment will be delayed.

 

3.   How much will I be paid?

The Clothing Grant amounts for school session 2023/2024 are £120 for Primary pupils and £150 for Secondary pupils.

Details of the Summer FSM payment amount will be made available on our webpage soon.  This payment will be issued to all pupils currently in receipt FSM.

Children attending an Early Years establishment do not receive a Clothing Grant or Summer FSM payment.

 

4.   I am paid automatically every year but I have not received my payment?

If you have not received a payment, you must make a new application even if you received a payment last year.

 

5.  I have not received my payment?

If you have received an automatic payment in previous years, but have not received a payment this year, you should make a new application online.

If you applied online and it has been over 4 weekssince you applied, you should complete an online enquiry form.  You must include your bank details so we can check our records. 

 

6.  I have only received payment for one child?

If you have not received a payment for all your children, you must make a new application.

You must ensure that all your children are listed on your CTR claim, if not you should contact the Council Tax team to add all your children on to your claim. 

 

7.  When will I receive the Summer FSM Payment?

If you received the Spring FSM payment in March 2023, or you have been awarded FSM since then, you will receive the Summer FSM payment automatically.  Payments will be made from 9 June 2023.

If you are also eligible for an automatic Clothing Grant payment, you will receive these payments together.

Children attending an Early Years establishment and Children starting Primary 1 in August 2023 are not eligible for the summer FSM payment.  

 

8.  My child is starting Primary 1 - do I need to apply?

If your child is enrolled at a Glasgow School and is included on your CTR claim, you should receive a payment automatically.  If you do not receive a payment by 9 June 2023, you must apply for this child.

 

9.   My child is starting Primary 1, why do I not qualify for the Summer FSM payment?

Only pupils who currently receive FSM at school are eligible for the FSM payment.  As your child has not yet started school and is not in receipt of Free School Meals, they are not eligible for the FSM payment.

 

10.      Do I qualify for free school meals if I am entitled to a Clothing Grant?

Not necessarily - there are different eligibility criteria for Free School Meals.  You would only be entitled if you meet the criteria for both. Please refer to the eligibility criteria for free school meals on our web page.  

 

11.      I have not received free school meals / the free school meals payment?

If you have applied and allowed the appropriate timescale for your application to be processed, but not received confirmation, please complete an online enquiry form

 

12.  When will payments be made for S5 & S6 pupils?

Pupils who turn 16 before 30 September 2023 are legally allowed to leave school in June 2023.  For this reason, we do not pay Clothing Grants for 16+ pupils until they have returned to school in August.

Once we will confirm that your child has returned to school, we will issue the payment.  Payments will be issued in August.  You do not need to contact the School.

 

13. I have not received my declaration; however, I get one every year?

We no longer issue Declaration letters or forms.  If you are not on the auto entitlement list, you must make a new application even if you received a payment last year.

 

14. My child gets FSM at School but I have not received the Summer FSM payment?

All pupils in P1-P5 automatically receive a free meal at school under the Scottish Government's Universal Provision, however only pupils who are financially eligible are entitled to the Summer FSM payment.

'Financially eligible' means that you have applied for and been awarded Free School Meals, as you receive an eligible benefit.  If you think you are financially eligible for FSM and you have not applied, please complete an online application form.

 

15.  I need to update my bank details/address

Please complete the online enquiry form on our web page, and select the preferred option from the drop down list.  We are unable to take bank details over the telephone.

 

16.      My child is moving to another school, do I need to re-apply?

If your child is transferring from one Glasgow school to another Glasgow school after the summer, you should still receive an automatic payment if your child is listed on your CTR claim. 

If your child moves to another school during the academic year, and you have already been paid a Clothing Grant, you will not receive another payment.

If your child is moving to a School in another Local Authority area other than Glasgow, you must apply to the relevant Local Authority for the School your child is moving to.

 

17.      How do I access my Parent Pay?

Please contact the School with any queries relating to Parent Pay.

 

18.      How do I apply for Scottish Child Payment?

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.