Clothing Grants/Free School Meals
Updates
MyAccount - Free School Meals/School Clothing Grant
You may be eligible to apply for Free School Meals - including breakfast - and the School Clothing Grant if your child attends a Glasgow school.
In order to apply for this, you must have a MyAccount setup.
MyAccount is used to access a range of online public services across Glasgow, like applying for free school meals.
You create one account with one username and password that will give you access to lots of different Glasgow City Council services. To read more about MyAccount, click here.
- To register for a MyAccount - click here.
- To update your MyAccount details - click here
- To reset your MyAccount password - click here
Please note, MyAccount is administered by the Scottish Government and not Glasgow City Council.
Free School Meals
All children in P1-P5 are automatically entitled to receive a free school lunch. This is called 'Universal Entitlement'.
Our primary schools also offer a breakfast service each day. Those who receive a free school meal via universal entitlement will not automatically qualify for a free school breakfast.
To receive a free breakfast at school, you must have completed a free school meal application and be financially eligible (see eligibility section below).
For those not currently entitled to a free school meal, a charge of £2 per day is made. For siblings, the oldest child pays £2 and subsequent children pay £1.
If you are not currently in receipt of free school meals and think you are entitled, please apply here. Please refer to the eligibility section below to see if you qualify before submitting an application.
If your child has newly enrolled into P1 this year and you think you are entitled for free school meals, you must apply if you have not already done so. They will not be enrolled for free school meals automatically.
New applications will be processed as soon as possible, and if eligible, your child should receive free school meals within four weeks.
Please ensure to advise us of any change in circumstances as this could affect your entitlement/eligibility.
Holiday Payment
GCC provide funding to support eligible families over school holiday periods for children and young people who are in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) in P1 to S6.
All P1 to P5 pupils receive Universal Free School Meals at school, however only families eligible on financial grounds will receive these additional holiday payments.
This does not apply to early years establishments/nursery pupils.
You will automatically receive these payments directly into your bank account if you are eligible and meet the criteria - you DO NOT need to contact us or make a new application for each payment.
These payments are currently made four times per year; the Easter break, Summer break, October break and Winter break.
Please ensure to advise us of any change in circumstances as this could affect your entitlement/eligibility.
School Clothing Grant
The School Clothing Grant award is a payment of £120 (for a primary-aged child) or £150 (for a secondary-aged child).
This grant is given annually to those on a qualifying benefit to assist with the cost of purchasing school clothing.
Clothing Grant payments will be made automatically for families who are eligible and meet the criteria detailed below (see eligibility section below).
If you do not receive your payment automatically, you can apply online here or submit an enquiry here to query a live application.
New applications will be reviewed as soon as possible and if you are eligible, you will receive the payment within four weeks.
Please ensure you provide all requested information when submitting your application. Failure to do so may cause a delay in getting the payment.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for a Free School Meal or the School Clothing Grant if you have a child that attends a Glasgow school, and you receive certain benefits.
The table below sets out what you may be entitled to based on the benefits you receive:
| Benefit | School Meals | Clothing Grant | Proof Required |
| Income Support | ✔ | ✔ | Letter confirming entitlement to benefit |
| Job Seekers Allowance (Income-based) | ✔ | ✔ | Letter confirming entitlement to benefit |
| Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related) | ✔ | ✔ | Letter confirming entitlement to benefit |
| Universal Credit (earned income reported by employer of £796 or less) | ✔ | ✔ | Full Universal Credit statement - all pages required |
| Child Tax Credit (gross annual income less than £19,995 and no working tax credit) | ✔ | ✔ | Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) (previous year award letter) |
| Child tax credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of up to £19,995 | × | ✔ | Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) (previous year award letter) |
| Child tax credit and working tax credit (gross income up to £9552) | ✔ | ✔ | Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) (previous year award letter) |
| Support under V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 | ✔ | ✔ | Confirmation letter: a valid ARC and tenancy agreement |
| Housing Benefit (housing element of Universal Credit is not housing benefit) | ✔ | ✔ | Current Letter to show receipt of Housing Benefit |
| Council Tax Reduction (Single persons discount/student deduction/exemption do not qualify for CTR) | × | ✔ | Current Letter to show receipt of Council Tax rebate |
For further assistance, please view our Application Guidance.
How will the award/s be paid?
Monies are paid directly into your bank account by BACS.
New applicants will receive the payment within 4 weeks of us receiving a fully complete application. If we require additional information from you, your payment may be delayed.
Updating your information
If you have changed your bank details since the last award, you must inform us immediately to avoid your payment being delayed.
You can provide this information by completing our online enquiry form. Please note, we cannot take bank details over the telephone.
Please ensure to advise us of any change in circumstances as this could affect your entitlement/eligibility.
The Scottish Child Payment
The Scottish Child Payment is a grant paid by Social Security Scotland that helps towards the cost of supporting your family. The weekly payment of £26.40 is available for eligible children up to the age of 16.
If you are eligible, 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 the 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
Eligible families and carers can find out more and apply on MyGovScotland or by calling Social Security Scotland on free on 0800 182 2222.
ApparelXchange
ApparelXchange is a social enterprise, based in Glasgow, dedicated to reusing, repairing and recycling childrenswear, with a mission to reduce the impact of clothing on the environment.
They sell high-quality, preloved children's clothing, including uniform, at highly affordable prices.
They also offer free clothing packages to families during times of need.
To find out more and to shop for affordable uniform, please visit the AXC website here.
Contact Us
For further information or assistance, please submit an enquiry form, or you can access our live chat service by clicking at the bottom right corner of the screen. This service is available Monday to Friday between 10am-4pm.
FAQs
1. 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 and the School Clothing Grant. You would only be entitled if you meet the criteria for both. Please refer to the eligibility section above for more info.
2. My child gets FSM at school, but I have not received the FSM holiday 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 FSM holiday payment.
3. What does it mean to be financially eligible?
To be 'financially eligible' means that you have applied for and been awarded Free School Meals, as you receive a qualifying benefit. If you think you are financially eligible for FSM and you have not applied, please complete the online application form above.
4. Are P6/7 pupils eligible for Universal Free School Meals?
Not currently, more information on this will be published in the coming months.
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- School Travel Assistance
- Free School Travel for Catchment School
- Free School Meals and Clothing Grant Privacy Statement
- Council Tax Liability, Discount, Exemption or Reduction and or Housing Benefit Privacy Statement
- Livechat Privacy Statement
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