If you are the parent or guardian of children at school and you are on a low income, you could get free school meals and a school clothing allowance.
You can claim free school meals and school clothing allowance if you get income support, job seekers allowance (income based), guaranteed credit, or if you get child tax credit and have a yearly income of less than £15,575 but do not receive working tax credit.
How do I claim?
You can download by clicking on the link on the right of this page, or pick one up from any one stop centre. To find where your nearest one stop centre is, use the link on the right. If you would like a form sent to you, please contact us using the details on the top right of this page. Your completed form should be sent to the address at the top right of this page, or hand it in to us at any one stop centre or local housing office.
You can also contact us by telephone on either:
0845 127 0113 or 0113 247 7247.
Our minicom number is 0845 127 1113
You can contact us by telephone during the following times:
Monday to Thursday: 08:30 to 17:00.
Friday: 08:30 to 16:30
We are closed on Wednesdays from 15:00 to 16:00.
If you need to contact us by phone our busiest times are all day each Monday and between 09:00 and 10:30 every morning, so we may take a little longer to answer your call during these times.
How much clothing allowance will I get?
A school clothing allowance will be sent to you before the school year starts in September.
- For reception year children you will get £27.50
- For children in years one to six you will get £20
- For children in year seven you will get £37.50
- For children in years eight to eleven you will get £30
Payments will normally be made by cheque.
Asylum seekers
If you are seeking asylum you do not need to fill in a claim form as you will automatically get free school meals and a school clothing allowance. If you are not receiving these and think you should be, please ask at your child’s school.
For older children
If your child is over 16 and goes to school or college full time, they may be able to get a grant. To find out more, ring the Education Maintenance helpline on 0808 101 6219.