School Grants
Families on low income can get school grants to help with the cost of lunches and school clothing.
All children in primary 1 to 5 receive free school meals, regardless of your income or benefit status. However, if you meet any of the following conditions you will be eligible to receive
- free school meals for your children in P6, P7 and in secondary school
- payment for lunches during school holidays
- free milk
- a school clothing grant payment of £125 for each primary child and £157 for each secondary child, paid once a year into your bank account
You must receive one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £796)
- 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
- Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £19,995
- Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and an income of up to £9,552
Please note income thresholds were subject to change in April 2025.
* From February 2025 children in P6 and P7 will be eligible to receive free school meals for families in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
Your child might still get school grants if you’re experiencing financial hardship. This could be because:
- your immigration status means you cannot get help from the government
- you’re still waiting on your first Universal Credit notice
School grants are valid for one school year. The entitlement ends if your child leaves school before the end of the school year.
Information on school grants and how to apply is available on the website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants