Financial assistance
School uniforms
By law, education authorities have to provide grants to help with costs of clothing for pupils. These grants are usually awarded depending on income - it's likely you’ll get help if you receive other means-tested benefits. To find out more, contact your local authority.
Education Maintenance Allowance
Do you have 16-19 year olds who go to school or college? Is your household income less than £32,317 a year? Then your children may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance.
To find out more, visit the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) website.
Tax credits
In April 2003 the UK government introduced two new tax credits, The Working Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. These replace the:
- Working Families' Tax Credit
- Disabled Person's Tax Credit
- Children's Tax Credit
- Provision for children in certain social security benefits.
Nine out of ten families with children can get tax credits, but you don't need to have children to qualify. Visit HM Revenue & Customs website for more information or call the tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900.
Free school meals
Education authorities should give free milk, meals or other refreshments to pupils of parents (or the pupils themselves) who receive:
- Income Support (IS)
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit with an income of under £16,190 (with effect from 6 April 2010)
- maximum Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of under £6,420 (with effect from 6 April 2010).
Lone Parents
One Parent Families Scotland is an organisation that offers a free helpline number and provides general advice to Lone Parents on issues concerning them.