Information for Parent – Free School Meals and Clothing Grant – updated May 2018

The process for parents to apply for Free School Meals and a Clothing grant is changing this Academic year. Historically, parents/carers submit an application for this each year. The new process may mean that parents do not need to re-apply each year.

Parents currently in receipt of Free School Meals and/or a Clothing grant and in receipt of Housing Benefit/Council Tax reduction, and certain benefits such as Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income based) and Universal Credit where the monthly earned income does not exceed £610; do not need to complete an application. Education Support Service will automatically assess their entitlement each year.  

Parents who are not in receipt of Housing Benefit/Council Tax reduction will be required to provide Education Support Service with recent evidence of benefit.

Parents currently in receipt of Free School Meals and/or a Clothing grant and in receipt of Tax Credits do not need to complete an application but will be required to provide Education Services with a full copy of their Tax Credit Award for the current financial year.

A change of circumstances form should be completed if current applicants have any changes to their circumstances i.e. change of surname, address or bank details as well as having an additional child entering P1 or joining their family. Parents can email Educationsupport@dumgal.gov.uk to request this form or can also ask the school office. If a child is no longer to be included as part of a current application the parent should email Education Support Service to let them know to remove them from their claim.

Parents are still required to complete an application and provide supporting evidence in the following circumstances:

• are an asylum seeker receiving support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999.
• live outwith the region and their child attends a school within Dumfries and Galloway
• are not currently in receipt of Free School Meals and/or a Clothing grant

Parents will no longer receive an entitlement letter and the Education Support Service will write to parents if they are no longer eligible.

Families currently in receipt of Free School Meals will receive a letter from Education Support Service informing them of the new process.

The Clothing Grant payment is currently £80.00 per child.

A copy of the Free meals / Clothing Grant application and Change of Circumstances form can be downloaded from the school website (Section B – General Information)