Apply for free school meals and clothing grants
(Information from NLC Website):
If your child attends a North Lanarkshire school you may be entitled to free school meals and essential clothing grant. You can check your benefits and how your application is processed in the table below.
ALL Primary 1 to Primary 3 pupils are automatically entitled to receive a free school meal.
If you gave consent last year but do not currently receive these benefits, or if this is your first application, you will have to apply. Please download an application form [45kb] or collect one from the school or First Stop Shop. Simply complete the form and bring it, along with your proof of benefits, to your local First Stop Shop.
If you provide your mobile phone number or email address you will be contacted once a decision has been made otherwise you will be notified by letter.
If your application for Free School Meals is accepted then the school will be notified immediately.
| Benefit received | School meals | Clothing grant | Proof required |
| Income support | Yes | Yes | DWP award letter or Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) which shows entitlement to this benefit |
| Job seekers allowance (income based) |
Yes | Yes | DWP award letter or Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) which shows entitlement to this benefit |
| Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related) | Yes | Yes | DWP award letter or Current Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602A) which shows entitlement to this benefit |
| Universal Credit | Yes | Yes | Letters of confirmation which shows entitlement to this benefit |
| Child Tax Credit with a gross annual income below £16,105 with no element of Working Tax credit | Yes | No | Current tax credit award notice (TC602 A) |
| In receipt of both maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit Gross maximum income below £6420. | Yes | No | Current tax credit award notice (TC602 A) |
| Support Under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 | Yes | No | Confirmation Letter/Home Office |
| Housing benefit | No | Yes | Current letter to show receipt of housing benefit |
| Council tax rebate – council tax discount or exemption does not qualify | No | Yes | Current letter to show receipt of council tax rebate |
Early Years Provision – If your child is aged between 2 and 4 years and attends a North Lanarkshire Council Nursery, for more than 4 hours per day he or she may be entitled to a free meal. Parents must be in receipt of any of the qualifying benefits above or in receipt of State Pension Credit or Incapacity and Severe Disablement Allowance. Your child will also be entitled if they are or have been at any point since their second birthday looked after; the subject of a kinship care or guardianship order.
Students aged between 16 and 18 and who are in receipt of any of the qualifying benefits can apply for free school meals in their own right.
Application guidance
1. If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Rebate you should complete the application form and take the following documents to a First Stop Shop.
- Child Benefit award letter or proof of Parentage/Legal Guardianship
- Proof of current benefit. Award letters must be dated from 1 April 2016.
Not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Rebate
If you are not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Rebate then complete the application form and take the following documents to a First Stop Shop.
- Child Benefit award letter or proof of Parentage/Legal Guardianship.
- Proof of current benefit. Award letters must be dated from 1 April 2016.
Unable to attend
If you are unable to attend a First Stop Shop, your representative can attend on your behalf. They should bring any necessary documents showing eligible benefits along with the application form.
Alternatively, a postal claim can be submitted. Complete the application form, enclosing the relevant documents or if you are in receipt of housing benefit or council tax rebate sign the notice of consent and sent the application form to:
Customer Contact Centre
52-60 Merry Street
Motherwell
ML1 1LZ
Applications during the school year
You may submit an application at any time throughout the school year. Process of application will follow the same format as those applying in June.
Children who will be 16 years of age between 1 March and 30 September (children of school leaving age)
Include these children on your form.
Clothing grant payments will not be made until pupils return to school in the new session and this has been confirmed by the school.
If you are uncertain, please contact us by using the details in the ‘contact us’ box.
Payments
Applications will be accepted from beginning of June. Payment will be made within two weeks.
The Clothing Grant is £70 per child and payment will be made by BACS payment (directly into your bank/building society account)
If you have any problems regarding your payment you should contact us by using the contact information at the right of this page.
Only one Clothing Grant will be paid for any pupil during a school year.
Change of circumstances
It is your responsibility to notify the Northline Customer Contact Centre of any changes as this could affect your entitlement.
Dietary provision
If you are in receipt of qualifying benefits and your child has any special dietary needs this should not disqualify parents from making an application. Free School Meals can be provided to children with medically diagnosed dietary needs.
