Clothing Grants/Free School Meals

If you have not received a clothing grant payment for your child/all children, you MUST submit a new application. Please do not complete an online enquiry form as this will delay your payment.

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Clothing Grants - School Session 2024/2025

Clothing Grant payments will be made automatically for families who are eligible and meet the criteria detailed below.

If you do not receive your payment automatically, you now can apply online.

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 since the last award, 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 14 June 2024.

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 2024 (pupils of school leaving age) will receive the Clothing Grant payment after pupils have returned to school in August 2024.

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 earned income is £796 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 £19,995
• Both Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £19,995
• 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.

You may also qualify for free school meals - see below for full eligibility criteria.

Please refer to our application guidance for assistance

Free School Meals & Breakfast Club

Eligible families will receive a payment for the Summer break.

If you have not made an application for Free School Meals and think you are entitled, please complete an application form.

If you received the Spring payment in March or have been awarded FSM since then, you will automatically receive the Summer FSM payment of £80 and you do not need to contact us.

Please note children going into P1 in August 2024 are not eligible for the summer payment.

New applicants who meet the criteria and apply before 10 August 2024 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 9 August 2024, 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.

All Primary 1 to 5 children are automatically entitled to receive a free school meal at school but 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 a Free School Meal if you have a child that attends a Glasgow school, and you receive any of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit (UC), and your monthly earned income is £796 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 £19,995
• Both Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £9,552
• Asylum Seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Please refer to our application guidance for assistance.

Clothing Grant / Free School Meals Enquiries

You can make an enquiry about a Clothing Grant and/or Free School Meals by completing our  Enquiry Form

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

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 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

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 named on your claim for Council Tax Reduction

AND

• Your Children 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 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 14 June 2024.

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

New applicants (i.e. any applicant not in receipt of Council Tax Reduction) can apply online from 17 June 2024.  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 2024/2025 are £120 for Primary pupils and £150 for Secondary pupils.

The Summer FSM payment is £80 for all pupils currently in receipt FSM but must be financially eligible.

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 applied but not received my payment?

If you applied online and it has been over 4 weekssince you applied, you should complete an 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 2024, or you have been awarded FSM since then, you will receive the Summer FSM payment automatically.  Payments will be made from 14 June 2024.

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 2024 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 Clothing Grant payment automatically.  If you do not receive a payment by 17 June 2024, 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?

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

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

Pupils who turn 16 before 30 September 2024 are legally allowed to leave school in June 2024.  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. 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.

14.  I need to update my bank details/address

Please complete the enquiry form and select preferred option from the drop down list.  We are unable to take bank details over the telephone.

15. 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.

16. How do I access my Parent Pay?

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

17. 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.

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Documents

• Clothing Grant/Free School Meal Application Guidance (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)

Links

• Scottish Government Best Start Grant School Age Payment