Free school meals and clothing grants

You may be able to get help with the cost of school meals, school uniforms and holiday food payments if you live in the Highland Council area.

Free school meals

All children in Primary 1 to Primary 5, and special schools get free school meals during term time.

You do not need to apply for this.

Clothing grant amounts

You can apply for a school clothing grant to help with the cost of school uniforms:

• £164 for primary school children
• £176 for high school children

Holiday meal payments

You can get help with the cost of meals for your child during the school holidays. This will be paid in advance of each holiday to eligible children in Primary 1 to Secondary 6. There is no need to apply for this; we will pay you the holiday meal payment if you have applied and are eligible for a clothing grant.

Eligibility

You should apply if either:

• your child is in Primary 1 to Primary 5, and you receive a qualifying benefit - you may be entitled to a clothing grant and holiday meal payments
• your child is in Primary 6 to Secondary 6 (P6–S6), and your household receives a qualifying benefit - you may be entitled to free school meals, clothing grants and holiday meal payments

Qualifying benefits

You can apply if your household receives any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit (if your monthly earned income is £995 or less)
• Pension Credit

You can also apply if you:

• are aged 16 to 18 and receive a low-income qualifying benefit
• have no access to public funds, usually due to immigration status
• are waiting for your first Universal Credit award notice

Scottish Child Payment

If you receive the Scottish Child Payment and your child is in Primary 6 or 7, you can apply for free school meals only.

This does not include clothing grants or holiday meal payments.