School clothing grant and free meals application

Recent changes to Scottish Government legislation regarding the expansion of free school meals means that pupils in P6 & P7 will be entitled to free school meals if their parent or carer is in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment (SCP).

If you are in receipt of SCP and you have a child in P6 or P7 who does not currently receive Free School Meals, please complete an online application using the link at the bottom of this page. We require to see evidence that you are currently in receipt of SCP. This should be an official letter from Social Security Scotland confirming that you receive the Scottish Child Payment for the child/children you are applying for. We will also accept a recent banking transaction showing the SCP payment into your account.

Please note Child Benefit is a separate benefit from SCP and not a qualifying criterion for free school meals.

If your child qualifies for Free School Meals under the Scottish Child Payment eligibility criteria, you will not be entitled to receive payments for meals during the school holidays.

Please read all information before completing the application form.

The School Clothing Grant amounts being paid by East Dunbartonshire Council for the current 2024/2025 academic year are:

• £120 for primary school pupils
• £150 for secondary school pupils.

Please note that you require to make a new application for Free School Meals and/or Clothing Grants each year.

School meals are free for all pupils in P1 to P5 so there is no need to apply for that universal provision.

All children in a funded early learning and childcare place receive a free meal on the days they attend. Clothing Grants are not available for children attending Early Years Centres.

Important points to note:

• You must inform East Dunbartonshire Council of any change in circumstance that may affect your entitlement to Free School Meals or School Clothing Grants
• You only need to complete one online form for all eligible children in the household
• You must upload all necessary supporting documents, making sure to include all pages of relevant letters, as we require to see your name and address on the letter, as well as any information relating to benefits, income/take home pay amounts
• Payments for pupils who are 16 or over will not be made until return to school has been confirmed following the summer holiday period
• Council Tax Discount is NOT the same as Council Tax Reduction.

East Dunbartonshire Council will provide additional financial support during holiday periods over the coming academic year to families who apply for and meet the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals.

Details of holiday periods covered by additional financial support can be found on the Government website - help during the school holidays.

To be eligible for Free School Meals or Clothing Grants, your child(ren) must attend any primary, secondary or additional support needs school managed by East Dunbartonshire Council. All applicants must meet one of the eligibility criteria laid out below.

Pupils are eligible to apply for Free School Meals and/or Clothing Grants in their own right if they are aged 16-18 and in receipt of one of the benefits listed above.

To check if you qualify, please refer to the table below.

To apply for Free School Meals and/or Clothing Grants, please complete the online application form at the end of this page. Please note that you must upload the supporting evidence required along with your application. Further guidance on supporting evidence is provided below. Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email and a reference number that must be quoted on all correspondence.

If, for any reason you cannot upload your proof of eligibility, this will require to be emailed to sharedservices.education@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. Please quote your application reference number and “Free School Meals or Clothing Grant” in the subject header.

Anyone who requires assistance in completing the online form should call 0300 123 4510 and make an appointment with one of our advisers at our Community Hubs. Applicants should bring all documents containing evidence of eligibility to the meeting.

Clothing Grants will be made by BACS payment directly into bank accounts. Please ensure that you provide the correct bank details on your application form.

Clothing Grants will be paid as quickly as possible. We aim to make payment within four weeks of applications being received, however, please note that we will be dealing with a high volume of applications, so your patience is appreciated.

Payments for pupils who are 16 or over at the time of application will only be made once return to school has been confirmed, following the summer holiday period.

If you have not uploaded/provided the correct supporting evidence, your application will be delayed.

If you are a kinship carer, you may be eligible to apply for Free School Meals and/or Clothing Grants. You will require to provide evidence of the kinship arrangements and you must also be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits (please refer to the table above).

If your application is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision. This can be done by sending an email to sharedservices.education@eastdunbarton.gov.uk within one calendar month of notification of refusal, with the subject heading of FOR ATTENTION OF THE CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER – FSM/CG APPEAL. You should receive a response to your appeal within one calendar month of receipt of your appeal.

Please note that in addition to the information laid out below, occasionally it may be necessary for further information such as bank statements to be provided. The team will request this when appropriate.

• Income Support - Most recent letter of award
• Job Seeker’s Allowance (Income Based) - Most recent letter of award
• Employment and Support Allowance (Income Based) - Most recent letter of award
• Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £850 - A copy of your most recent Universal Credit statement. This can be in the form of screenshots from your online account. Your statement MUST show the following:
  • Name and address
  • Date
  • Breakdown of payment (housing and child elements)
  • Most importantly - Take Home Pay
  • Full deductions section
  • Total payment for the month.

If you are unable to see Take Home Pay, click on the Plus Sign beside “Other support you may be able to get” – shown on screen 1 below. This should open up a screen and provide the Take Home Pay amount – as shown on screen 2 below. This is the information we require to see.

• Scottish Child Payment - Copy of the award letter showing:
  • Name and address
  • Date
  • Child's name.

If you are uploading scans/photographs of your letter, please ensure you provide all pages of the letter, ensuring page numbers are clearly shown at the bottom.

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - Copy of your ARC Card or BAIL201 Letter or Serco Occupancy Agreement
• Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction – Up-to-date letter from the local authority confirming you are in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction. It is important to note that Council Tax Discount is NOT the same as Council Tax Reduction.