HELPING HAND
Thousands of parents can get £200 cash for school uniform grants from TODAY
We've explained who's eligible and how to apply
THOUSANDS of parents can get £200 worth of free school uniform grants from today.
From today, hard-up Welsh families with children in reception and up to year 11 can claim the free cash.
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Children whose families are on lower incomes and qualify for certain benefits can apply for a grant of £125 per child.
However, if your child is entering senior school and going into year 7, you'll be able to get a boosted £200 payment for this academic year.
Families are entitled to claim once per child, per school year.
So, if you have three children, you could claim upwards of £600, depending on which school year they start in September.
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Who is eligible?
The exact eligibility requirements will depend on those laid out by your own local authority.
For example, in Swansea, the School Essentials Grant is available to children and young people:
- Eligible for free school meals (eFSM)
- Looked After Children (LAC)
- Those who are classed as No Resource to Public Funds (NRPF)
For further information on eligibility or the application process, contact your local authority directly by visiting www.gov.wales/school-essentials-grant.
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The grant can be spent on:
- School uniform, including coats and shoes
- School sports kit, including footwear
- IT Equipment: laptop and tablets only
- Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts, or dance
- Equipment - for example, school bags and stationery
- Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin, such as design and technology
- Equipment for out-of-school hours' trips such as outdoor learning - for example, water proofs
Payments under the Schools Essential Grant have decreased by £100 since 2022.
Under the previous scheme, each eligible child could have got £225 and those heading into secondary school £300.
You'll need to apply for the grant directly with your local council.
Find yours by visiting www.gov.wales/find-your-local-authority.
EXTRA HELP WITH SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS
IF you can't get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you.
In some areas, you can talk directly to your school, which might be able to offer you clothing.
Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores.
Some charities offer help to families in need too.
But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.
Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens' Advice branch.
If you don't know where your nearest Citizens' Advice branch is, you can find out by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/.
If you're not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund.
What can I get if I live in England?
Unlike the Wesh scheme, there is not a blanket grant available to pupils across England.
Many local authorities don't offer residents direct grants to help with the cost of uniforms, although some do.
For example, Islington Council in London, offers grants worth £150 to pupils transferring from primary to secondary school and on free school meals.
Find out more by visiting www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/help-with-childcare-and-family-costs/free-school-meals-and-uniform-grant.
Meanwhile, Nottingham City Council is offering different amounts depending on the child's school year.
Reception-aged pupils can get £15 to cover the cost of clothes while Year 9's can get £30.
You can apply by downloading a form found on the council's website.
In both cases, you will need to be on qualifying benefits to receive the help.
Local councils in England set their own criteria for uniform grants meaning what is available and when to apply varies depending on where you live.
The best thing to do is check with your local council about what help is available and when to apply.
Find your local council's website by visiting www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
What can I get if I live in Scotland?
A number of councils in Scotland offer grants to families to help cover the costs of uniforms.
But, like in England, the amounts vary based on where you live.
You can apply for the grants via your local council's website.
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The Scottish government's website says most local authorities accept applications between July and the end of March every year.
In any case, you should check with your local council what support is on offer.
What help is available for parents?
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
- 30 hours free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours free childcare a week.
To qualify you must usually work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. - Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs.
- Childcare vouchers - If your employer offers childcare vouchers you can get up to £55 a week in tax and national insurance savings.
You pay for your childcare before your tax contributions are taken out.
This scheme is open to new joiners until October 4, 2018, when it is planned that tax-free childcare will replace the vouchers. - Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.
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