Thousands of parents can get up to £200 of free cash to help cover their children's school uniform costs. This initiative is set to help the most vulnerable families before the start of the new school year.
Thousands of Parents Can Get Up to £200 in Free School Uniform Grants
Parents across Wales can now claim the bonus money through the country's School Essentials Grant, as applications for this year's scheme opened yesterday (July 1). The grant is provided to assist poverty-stricken families with children in reception until year 11.
Households will be able to claim £125 per child, however, if your child is approaching his/her seventh birthday, you'll be eligible for a £200 payment for the upcoming academic year.
The grant can be claimed once per child per school year. So for instance, if you have 3 children with one starting high school this September you can receive two payments of £125 and one payment of £200 which makes £450 in total.
Who Qualifies for the Grant?
The exact qualification requirements will depend on what your local authority has laid out. For instance, the School Essentials Grant in Swansea is handed to children and young people if they:
- Benefit from free school meals.
- Are in care.
- Are considered 'No Resource to Public Funds' (NRPF)
For more details regarding the eligibility criteria or the application process, contact your local authority directly through their website at: www.gov.wales/school-essentials-grant.
If you qualify for the grant, the money can be spent on a series of items, including:
- School uniforms, including coats and shoes.
- School sports kit, including footwear.
- Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts, or dance.
- IT Equipment: laptop and tablets only
- Equipment, including school bags and stationery
- Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin, such as design and technology
- Equipment for out-of-school hours' trips such as outdoor learning — for example, water proofs
Payment provided by the Schools Essential Grant have dropped by £100 since 2022.
Under the previous plan, each eligible child could have received £225 and those starting secondary school £300.
What Can I Get if I Reside in England?
Although many local authorities in England do not provide direct grants to help residents with the cost of uniforms, some do.
For instance, Islington Council in London, provides grants worth £150 to pupils on free school meals and transferring from primary to secondary school.
In the meantime, Nottingham City Council is giving away different amounts depending on the child's school year.
Reception-aged pupils can receive £15 to pay for their clothes, while Year 9-year-olds can get £30.
You can submit an application by downloading a form available on the council's website.
In both cases, you are required to be on qualifying benefits to get the help.
Local councils in England set their own qualifying criteria for uniform grants, which means that what is provided and when to apply varies according to where you reside.
What can I get if I Reside in Scotland?
According to the Scottish government's website, most local authorities agree to receive applications, starting from July until March of each year.
You are advised to check with your local council in order to stay informed on what support is available.