Arbroath Who can apply?
Entitlement to free school meals for older children, as well as the school clothing grant, is assessed as part of the application for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction.
Parents/Carers can apply for a school clothing grant or free school meals if you claim any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Support provided under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit where the monthly earned income does not exceed £995
- Pupils who receive any of these benefits in their own right can also claim free school meals
School meal allowances
Secondary school pupils will have an allowance of £2.60 per day and if the school operates a swipe card system their entitlement can also be used during the morning break.
This amount will be credited to the pupil's cashless catering account on a daily basis and any unused credit will be removed from the pupil's account at the end of the day.
The clothing grant
In 2026-27 the amount for a school clothing grant for eligible primary school pupils is £135 for each child and for eligible secondary school pupils it is £170 for each child. You can only apply once in any financial year (1 April to 31 March).
Young people who are 16 years old by 30 September won’t get a grant, but they can apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance instead. Please see below for more information.
How to apply
Click on the link below:
Apply for Free School Meals/School Clothing Grant
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
An Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly payment of £30 awarded to young people from lower income families who are between 16 and 19 years of age, and are:
- staying on at school or home education, or
- following a 16+ Activity Agreement
An EMA may also be available to part-time college students attending a non-advanced college course.
Do you qualify?
EMAs are awarded according to the level of household income:
- for income up to £24,421 (with one dependent child in the household)
- for income up to £26,884 (with two or more dependent children in the household)
To find out if you qualify visit mygov.scot.
When you'll be paid
If you are eligible from the Autumn intake and apply by 30 September, you will be paid from the start of term. Alternatively, if you are eligible from the winter intake, and apply before the last day in February, you will be paid from the start of the January term.
How to apply
Click on the link below:
Apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance
Scottish Child Payment
Families may also be eligible for the Scottish Child Payment, which helps towards the costs of supporting your child up to the age of 16.
You can receive over £100 every four weeks per child, if you receive Universal Credit, tax credits, or other qualifying benefits.
These payments can make a real difference for families, helping to ease financial pressure and support children as they grow and learn.
Click on the link below to find out more and apply:
Arbroath Academy Community Hub
Financial Support During the Cost of Living Crisis
Please see the Scottish Government's help during the cost of living crisis page for more information.
ILF Scotland Transition Fund
ilf scotland transition fund leaflet 20252503 v06 0 final.pdf
Click on the link below for further information:
