Clothing grants and free school meals
Find out if you qualify for a clothing grant or free school meals and apply online.
Who can apply?
You can apply if your child attends a school in East Renfrewshire and you receive a qualifying benefit. See section below for list of qualifying benefits.
How do I apply?
Applications for the academic year 2023 to 2024 are now open. Apply online for a clothing grant and free school meals by logging in or signing up for a MyEastRen account.
Apply online
If you don't have a MyEastRen account you can apply at Benefits Online. Click the Apply for Education benefits link to begin your application.
How much can I get?
For the academic year 2023 to 2024, the amount of clothing grant you can get is £120 per primary school child and £150 per secondary school child.
What evidence do I need to submit?
You need to submit the following evidence with your online application:
- the top part of your latest online/paper bank statement showing your name, address, sort code and account number
Depending on which benefit you receive you'll also need to submit:
- for universal credit, a copy of your online statement showing income and deductions
- for child tax credit or working tax credit, a copy of all pages of your tax credit award notice
- for any other benefit, a copy of your current benefit award letter
If you receive housing benefit or council tax reduction from East Renfrewshire council don't send evidence of this as we'll be able to check.
Where can I find help with my application?
If you need support or have a question contact our team at CGFSMapply@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
What do I do if my circumstances have changed?
If you got clothing grant or free school meals last year and your circumstances have changed since then, including change to your bank details, you can report the change online using the apply online link above, then select 'Report a change for education benefits'.
Video Guide
What happens next?
If you submit your online application with all the information requested we'll process your application as follows:
- Stage 1 - Apply Online
- Stage 2 - Email confirmation - application received
- Stage 3 - Application processed
- Stage 4 - Email confirmation - application approved
- Stage 5 - Payment made directly into your account
| Qualifying benefits | Do I qualify for clothing grant? | Do I qualify for Free School meals? |
|---|---|---|
| Employment and Support Allowance (Income related) | Yes | Yes |
| Income Support | Yes | Yes |
| Job Seekers Allowance (Income based) | Yes | Yes |
| Child Tax Credit only with a gross annual household income of less than £18,725 for 2022/23 | Yes | Yes |
| Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with a gross annual household income of up to £8,717 for 2022/23 | Yes | Yes |
| Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 | Yes | Yes |
| Universal Credit - where your maximum monthly earned income from employment does not exceed £726 | Yes | Yes |
| Council tax reduction | Yes | No |
| Housing benefit | Yes | No |
| Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with a gross annual household income of below £18,725 but above £8,717 for 2022/23 | Yes | No |
Ukraine resettlement
If you've resettled in East Renfrewshire from Ukraine under the family support or a sponsorship scheme, you'll be eligible for clothing grant and free school meals. You can apply online or contact us by email if you need any support at CGFSMapply@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.
Increased early learning and childcare
If you get free school meals or a clothing grant, you may also be eligible for extra funded childcare for any pre school children.
2 year olds in families who qualify can get 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare.
Apply for 1140 hours of childcare for 2 year olds.
School age payment
If you have a child starting school you may also be eligible for £252.50 School Age Payment to help with the cost of starting school.
For further information and to apply, go to the Scottish Government's School Age Payments pages..
