Support available to north-east parents to help with school clothing costs
North-east parents are being reminded that they could be eligible for financial help with school clothing and shoes as youngsters prepare to head back to the classroom.
National advice agency Advice Direct Scotland is urging households to check their eligibility for support before schools return from the summer holidays next month.
Local authorities across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, provide clothing grants of £120 per primary school-aged child and £150 per secondary school-aged child to families receiving qualifying benefits.
Most councils accept applications from July until the end of March the following year, with payments made in July or August before the new school year starts.
However, this can vary. In some areas, children starting P1 or returning to S5-S6 must wait for the school to confirm attendance.
Grants are paid directly into recipients’ bank accounts, but those without an account can discuss other payment options.
Some families will have their award automatically renewed if they previously applied successfully.
Advice Direct Scotland is urging those who may have started claiming benefits over the holidays due to a change in circumstances to take action.
Additionally, families with a child starting school for the first time or who have recently moved to a different council area are encouraged to check their eligibility.
Eligibility criteria and monthly income thresholds vary between councils.
It is important to check the specific criteria with local councils. Links to local authority dedicated school clothing grant pages can be found on mygov.scot
However, typically, people can apply for a grant if they receive any of the following:
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit
•Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Some also accept applications from those receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
Those aged between 16 and 18 who receive these benefits independently may qualify for a school clothing grant, depending on where they live, or possibly apply for an Educational Maintenance Allowance instead.
Advice Direct Scotland is also reminding families to check whether they qualify for the Scottish Government’s Best Start Grant School Age Payment, worth £314.45.
This can help with the costs of preparing for school when a child is first old enough to start P1.
For assistance with any applications, people can contact the advice.scot team by phone or online.
They offer free, practical advice and information on various topics, including accessing benefits and ensuring households receive all entitled support.
The team can be contacted on 0808 800 9060 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or through www.advice.scot
Conor Forbes, policy director at Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Many parents worry about the costs of sending their children back to school after the holidays.
“We know that Scots families are finding things extremely difficult due to the cost of living crisis, especially as kitting out children is becoming increasingly expensive.
“The good news is that help is available, so we urge anyone who might benefit from a clothing grant to make sure they know how to apply and when the relevant deadlines are.
“Eligibility and the amount you will receive varies depending on which local authority area you live in, and this is something we can help you understand.
“Anyone worried or confused can reach out to our team at advice.scot for free advice at any time.
