Clothing Grants/Free School Meals
If you have not received a free school meal payment for your child/all children by 11 December 2024, you MUST submit a new application. Please do not complete an online enquiry form as this will delay your payment. Schools closed for the By-Election on 21 November and 5 December will receive an additional £2.50 payment.
Free School Meals
GCC are providing funding to support eligible families over the winter 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 £20.00.
This will not apply to Early years establishments.
You will automatically receive the 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.
If your child has enrolled into P1 this year and you think you are entitled for free school meals you must apply if not already done so.
Payments will be made from Tuesday 10 December 2024.
For more information see under Free School Meals / Breakfast Club section.
Free School Meals & Breakfast Club
Important
If you are currently not in receipt of free school meals and think you are entitled, please access the application by clicking this link Application Form
Please check the qualifying benefits below before applying.
New applications will be reviewed and if eligible will receive the payment within a 4 week period.
Applications received after 22 December 2024 and meet the criteria will only receive Free school meal and not the additional payment.
Please do not make contact with the team until after these dates.
Please note GCC is closed from Wednesday 25 December 2024 and reopens on Friday 3 January 2025.
Changes to bank account details can be made by completing our online enquiry form, clicking here Enquiry Form
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
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?
Monies are paid directly into bank accounts by BACS.
New applicants will receive the payment within 4 weeks of us receiving a fully complete application. If we require additional information, your payment will be delayed.
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
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.
What is MyAccount?
MyAccount gives you the ability to set up an online account using a single user name and password to access a range of online public services including some Glasgow City Council services, read more about MyAccount.
- To update your MyAccount details follow this link.
- If you have forgotten your password - you can reset via this link
FAQ
- Will I receive the payment automatically?
If you receive previous free school meal monies then yes, the payment will be automatic
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.
- 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 payment from 10 December 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 bank details.
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.
- How much will I be paid?
A payment of £20.00 per child will be made
- 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 previously.
- 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 via our Application Form
7. 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.
8. My child gets FSM at School but I have not received the 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 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.
9. 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.
10.How do I access my Parent Pay?
Please contact the School with any queries relating to Parent Pay.
11.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
12. What schools were closed for the By-Election?
Schools closed on Thursday 21 November 2024: -
Antonine Primary School
Blairdardie Primary School
Camstradden Primary School
Kelbourne Park School
Knightswood Primary School
Langfaulds Primary School
Oakwood Primary School
St Blane's Primary School
St Mary's (Maryhill) Primary School
St Philomena's Primary School
St Rose of Lima Primary School
Schools Closed on Thursday 5 December: -
Hyndland Primary School
Notre Dame Primary School
Schools Partly Closed on Thursday 5 December: -
Cleveden Secondary - S1 to S3 pupils only
Hyndland Secondary - S1 to S4 pupils only
Related Content
Related Articles
- Education Maintenance Allowance
- 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
Documents
Links