If your child is in P1 to P5
Free school meals are offered to ALL pupils in P1 to P5 without the need for parents/carers to submit an application form. However, an application form must be completed if you also require a school clothing grant for your child in P1-P5.
Don’t forget to submit an application form for free school meals for your child when he/she moves into P6 as they will no longer be automatically entitled to free school meals.
If your child is P6 or above
You can claim free school meals and a school clothing grant for your child(ren) if you are receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- any income-related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, with an income of less than £19,995
- both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of up to £9,552
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £796
If you are aged 16 to 18 years and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school meals for yourself.
Parents/Carers in receipt of a qualifying benefit will receive an annual school clothing grant of £126 per child in primary school and £157.50 per child in secondary school.
Please note assistance with school clothing/footwear is not awarded to nursery pupils. Children aged 16 years and over who are eligible to apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance will NOT be entitled to a clothing grant.
For more information on Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, visit the Inland Revenue website.
How do I apply for free school meals and a school clothing grant?
Applications for free school meals and assistance with school clothing/footwear for school session 2023/2024 are currently open.
Applications are now part of our wider ‘Apply Once’ application form where you can find out what other benefits administered by the Council you’re entitled to receive.
Alternatively, application forms are available from any Perth and Kinross Council school or from Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth.
Supporting evidence from Jobcentre Plus must be dated within 6 weeks of the date of your claim and Tax Credit Award Notices (TC602) and must relate to financial year 2023/2024. Universal Credit statements must relate to your most recent or upcoming payment.
A photograph or screenshot of your evidence taken from your smart phone is acceptable.
In order to avoid delays please check that all information requested is included with your application.
Claims for free school meals cannot be backdated and entitlement will start from the date valid applications are approved by Education and Learning.
Any parents/carers who would like further information about this or school meals in general should please contact the ECS Catering Support team at ECSCateringSupport@pkc.gov.uk.
