Council encourages claims for schools meals and assistance with school clothing

Parents, who think they may be eligible to apply for free school meals and assistance towards the cost of school clothing, are being encouraged to submit claims to The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Service so the support is in place at the start of the new school session in August.

From this time, the Council is streamlining the application system so that anyone who qualifies for free school meals is automatically entitled to a clothing allowance, which is increasing from £40 to £50 per eligible pupil per school year.

Free school meals and assistance with school clothing can be claimed if parents or guardians are receiving any one of the following: Income Support; or Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance; or Child Tax Credit, but not in receipt of Working Tax Credit and if income is less than £14,155 (as assessed by the Inland Revenue).

If pupils are 16 – 18 yrs old and receive any of these benefits they can claim for themselves. Asylum seekers receiving support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 can also claim for free school meals and assistance with school clothing.

Norma Murray, The Highland Council’s Catering and Cleaning Manager, said: "I would urge anyone who thinks that they might qualify for this help to apply for free school meals and assistance with school clothing. Often people’s personal circumstances change and they may not be aware that they qualify."

All enquiries about free school meals and clothing assistance should be made to Catering Services, Education, Culture and Sport, 30 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UA tel: (01463) 251300 e-mail: marilyn.ross@highland.gov.uk or fax: (01463) 715180.