Apply
The scheme for 2024 to 2025 is now open and will close on 31 May 2025.
Eligibility
You must be getting one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit (as long as you do not also get Working Tax Credit and your annual income is £16,190 or less before tax)
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - your household earnings must be less than £7,400 a year after tax. This does not include any income from benefits
All compulsory school years from reception to year 11 are now eligible.
All looked after children qualify for the grant, whether they receive free school meals or not.
Learners who receive free school meals due to transitional protection arrangements do not qualify.
Families are only entitled to claim once per child, per school year.
About the grant
Children of eligible families can apply for a grant of:
- £125 per learner
- £200 for learners entering year 7 (to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school)
The School Essentials Grant helps families on lower incomes for the purchase of:
- school uniform including coats and shoes
- school sports kit including footwear
- laptops and tablets (School Essentials Grant should only be used when a school cannot loan equipment to the family)
- uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to:
- scouts
- guides
- cadets
- martial arts
- sports
- performing arts
- dance
- equipment, such as school bags and stationery
- specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology
- equipment such as waterproofs, for trips out of school hours