Clothing grants and free school meals
Find out if you qualify for a clothing grant or free school meals and apply online.
We'd like to know more about your experience if you've applied for clothing grant and free school meals this year. Tell us what's working and what we can do better. Start survey (opens new window)
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.
All primary 1-5 children qualify for free school meals. We encourage you to still complete a clothing grant and free school meal application and select 'yes' for free school meals to ensure you and your child receive your food holiday payments.
How do I apply?
Applications for 2025 to 2025 are now open. Apply online for clothing grant and free school meals.
If you don't have a MyEastRen account you can apply at Benefits Online. Click the Apply for Education benefits link under the Education Benefits section to begin your application.
For academic year 2025 to 2026, the amount of clothing grant you can get is £120 per primary school child and £150 per secondary school child.
If you've received an email from us advising you've been awarded clothing grant or free school meals for academic year 2025 to 2026, you don't need to apply again. We have automatically rolled over your details and approved your application.
If you don't receive an email or aren't sure submit an application to ensure you don't miss out.
You need to submit the following evidence with your online application:
- a copy/screen shot of the top part of your latest online/paper bank statement showing your name, address, sort code and account number
- you don't have to upload your bank statement if you got clothing grant last year and your bank details haven't changed.
Depending on which benefit you receive you'll also need to submit:
- a copy of your current benefit award letter
- If you receive either housing benefit or council tax reduction from East Renfrewshire council don't send evidence of this as we'll be able to check.
If you received clothing grant or free school meals last year and your circumstances have since changed, including any change in your bank details, you can report the change online using the apply online link above and select 'Report a change for education benefits'.
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
| Type of Qualifying Benefit | 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 |
| 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 £850 | Yes | Yes |
| Council tax reduction | Yes | No |
| Housing benefit | Yes | No |
The National Entitlement Card entitles young people who live in Scotland and are between 5 to 21 years old to free bus travel throughout the UK. Find out more about the Young Persons NEC and how to apply.
If you get free school meals or a clothing grant, you might also be eligible for extra funded childcare for any pre-school children.
Any 2 year olds in families who qualify could get 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare.
If you have a child starting school you may also be eligible for £319.80 School Age Payment to help with the cost of starting school.
For further information about Best Start Grants including the School Age Payment and go to the Scottish Government's Best Starts Grants page..
