Free school meals and clothing grant
A guide to the types of support that are available, eligibility and how you can apply.
Overview
If you have school-age children and are on a low income, you may be entitled to financial support with:
- school meals
- school clothes and footwear
In this guide, we explain:
- what this support involves
- the eligibility criteria
- how you can apply
There is separate guidance on free meals for nursery-age children.
Children who reside in Stirling but attend school out with Stirling Council
!
If you reside in the Stirling Council area but your child/children attend a school out with the Stirling Council authority you should apply to the Council where your child’s school is situated.
Important notice
Application will not be backdated and start from the date you are approved.
Free school meals for children in P1 to P5
In council-run schools, all children in these years can get free school meals. You do not need to apply for this.
If your child is not getting free school meals, please contact us.
Holiday payments for children in P1 to P5
Free school meals are offered to all pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 5, without the need for parents/carers to submit an application form. However, an application form must be completed if you also require a school clothing grant for your child, this also allows us to make a payment in the school holidays.
Free school meals for children in P6 to P7
Parents/Guardians of Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils who are not currently eligible for free school meals but who are in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment will now be eligible for free school meals. You can claim free school meals for Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils by submitting completing the link and provide proof of your Scottish Child Payment.
You will not be eligible for payment throughout the school holidays.
Free school meals for children in S1 to S6
You can apply for free school meals for your child, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria below. You can do this at any point during the school year.
If your application is successful, we'll:
- ensure your child receives free school meals during term time
- transfer the cash value of your child's school meals into your bank account during school holidays
Clothing and footwear grant
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The closing date for footwear and clothing application forms for this school year is 31 December 2025. Any application forms submitted after this date will not be considered for the footwear and clothing grant.
If you're on a low income, you might be entitled to a payment towards your child's clothing and footwear costs. This will depend on whether you meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility
Your income |
School Clothing Grant |
Means-tested Free School Meals |
|
Income Support |
yes |
yes |
|
Income-based Job Seekers Allowance |
yes |
yes |
|
Income related Employment and Support Allowance |
yes |
yes |
|
Universal Credit with monthly earned income of not more than £850 |
yes |
yes |
|
Universal Credit with monthly earned income between £850 and £1,851 |
yes |
no |
|
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 |
yes |
yes |
Upper age limits
Free school meals
A child who’s 16 to 18 can still get free school meals, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
Clothing and footwear grant
A child cannot get a clothing and footwear grant if they:
- are already 16 or over
- will turn 16 in or before 30 September 2025
However, if they cannot get a clothing grant because of their age, they might be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance. You can find out more about this support, including when applications will open, on our Education Maintenance Allowance page.
Families experiencing financial hardship
In some circumstances, you can ask for 4 weeks of flexible free school meals. You can do this if any of these apply:
- you’re entitled to Universal Credit but are waiting for payments to start
- you do not yet have the documents you need to send us a free school meals application
- your family circumstances have changed
If you think you're eligible for these flexible meals, contact your child’s school or nursery and ask them to apply on your behalf.