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Renfrewshire parents and carers are being encouraged to apply for school clothing grants and free school meals ahead of the new school year.
Parents could save up to £766.90 per primary school child and £863.40 per secondary school child if they receive free school meals and a school clothing grant.
Changes to the eligibility criteria made in April 2025 mean that more families are eligible to apply.
Children in primary classes 6 and 7 are now entitled to receive free school meals if their household receives the Scottish Child Payment.
Those on Universal Credit are now eligible for a school clothing grant or free school meals if their earned income is not more than £850 per month.
Applications are open for school year 2025–26 and can be made on Renfrewshire Council’s website.
Money for school clothing grants is paid directly into bank accounts. Anyone who applies before Friday 11 July will receive the money ahead of the first day of term (18 August).
Everyone who is entitled to free school meals and applies will receive a payment of £2.35 per day per child prior to the school holidays. Those with children in primary classes 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 are encouraged to apply for free school meals to receive this money for school holidays in October and December 2025 and February, Easter and summer 2026.
Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of the Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “I strongly encourage anyone who is entitled to receive a school clothing grant or free school meals to apply for them. During this sustained cost-of-living crisis, it is more important everyone gets what they are entitled to.”
Anyone who is concerned about money or who would like to find out if they could be entitled to one of the benefits that would mean their child can get free school meals should get in touch with our Advice Works team. Email adviceworks@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 1238.
