EXTRA HELP
How hard-up Brits can get up to £650 free cash for uniforms, shoes and transport for children
PARENTS who are struggling to make ends meet can get free cash to help with the costs of uniforms, shoes and transport for their little ones.
But the amounts available vary wildly depending on where you live, and some local councils don't offer any help at all.
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Under the Education Act 1996 and the School Clothing Grant, councils can provide financial help to parents on low incomes to help them with the costs of buying school clothing and shoes for their kids.
But this is not a statutory duty, so your chances of getting the cash is a postcode lottery and each district has a different criteria, The Sun has found.
For example, in the London Borough of Hounslow, a £60 school clothing grant is available to children in primary school from reception to year six and secondary school pupils in years seven and nine only.
Meanwhile, Islington council is among the most generous councils by giving £150 to mums and dads towards the cost of school uniform at the start of secondary school.
Yet with free transport also on offer, there's no harm in trying so if you're struggling financially, below are some of your options.
The maximum grant available for school clothing and footwear is currently £150 per academic year.
But some parents pay a whopping £500 a year on transport, meaning hard-up Brits can save up to £650 if they apply for the cash and are successful.
Free uniforms and shoes
The free cash available to cover the cost of school uniforms and footwear depends on where you live, with struggling families in England able to get up to £150 from their local authorities.
In contrast, Scottish parents on low incomes get after the Scottish government set a standard level to avoid the postcode lottery.
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In Wales, the government provides for pupils who are entering year seven and are claiming free school meals.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, the education authority pays to pupils on free school meals.
Who's eligible?
The amount you can claim in England - if your council offers it - depends on your local authority and its budget.
But as a general rule, grants are available for people on any of the below benefits and support.
- Income support
- Universal credit
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance
- Child tax credit - as long as you're not entitled to working tax credit
- Employment support allowance
- State pension - as long as it's your main source of income
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
You may also be eligible if your annual income is less than £16,190, while some councils only provide grants to children who get free school meals.
Also keep in mind that this scheme won't be applicable if your child is enrolled at an academy as these are run independently.
It can be confusing to work out whether you are eligible, so put in your post code on the GOV.UK website .
It'll then direct you to your council's website, where you should search for “Uniform grant” in the “Education” section to find out what grants are available in your area.
What other options do I have?
IF your council isn't giving out grants for school uniforms or shoes, you have a few other options.
Charities sometimes give grants to help with the costs of education.
But bear in mind that they often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have very specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.
The best thing to do is to get in touch with your school to see if a local charity might help.
Also look out for local second-hand uniform sales, often advertised in community centres or on social media.
You can also appeal to your child’s school if you're worried about affording uniform, or contact if the school is forcing you to buy from a single expensive supplier.
Free school transport
The cost of transport depends on the distance between your home and the school.
But some parents fork out hundreds of pounds each year, with one dad being forced to pay £500 for his daughter's bus pass, The Sun has previously reported.
But your children may be able to get free transport to school, depending on how far it is and any special needs they have.
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All children between five and 16 qualify for free school transport if they go to their nearest suitable school and live at least:
- Two miles from the school if they’re under eight
- Three miles from the school if they’re eight or older
If there’s no safe walking route, they must be given free transport, no matter how far from school they live.
Contact your local council if you think that the walk to school isn’t safe.
Families on low incomes and children with special needs
If you get the maximum working tax credit or your children are entitled to free school meals, they’ll get free school transport if they’re:
- aged eight to 11 and the school’s at least two miles away
- aged 11 to 16 and the school’s two to six miles away - as long as there aren’t three or more suitable schools nearer to home
- aged 11 to 16 and the school’s two to 15 miles away - if it’s their nearest school preferred based on religion or belief
Your child is also entitled to free transport if they can’t walk to school because of their special education needs and disabilities (SEND) - and it doesn’t matter how far away they live.
Find details on from your local council.
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