PARENTS have just days left to apply for up to £300 free cash towards school uniform costs.
Many local councils offer support to parents to help with back to school costs – but what you can get depends on where you live.
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The cost of living has everyone tightening their belts, so the expense of school uniform could see many families struggling.
The good news is that there is help out there, but you will need to be quick if you want to apply.
The amount available varies depending on whether you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England.
If you live in Wales the 2022/23 scheme offers each eligible child at least £225 and those heading into secondary school get £300.
But this scheme does close this Friday (June 30) so you will need to get your application in by then.
The Welsh Government upped the payments by £100 to offer extra help to families struggling with higher bills.
But the extra payment is only available on the 2022/23 scheme and when this closes the grant will reduce.
The scheme for 2023/24 will open on July 1 and from that date each eligible child will get a minimum of £125 while those heading into secondary school will get £200.
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You can apply for either year on the Wales Goverment’s website.
What can I get if I live in England?
Unlike the Wesh scheme, there is not a blanket grant available to pupils across England.
Many local authorities don’t offer residents direct grants to help with the cost of uniforms, although some do.
For example, Islington Council, in London, is offering grants worth £150 to pupils transferring from primary to secondary school and on free school meals. You can apply via its website.
Meanwhile, Nottingham City Council is offering different amounts depending on the child’s school year.
Reception-aged pupils can get £15 to cover the cost of clothes while Year 9’s can get £30.
You can apply by downloading a form found on the council’s website.
In both cases, you will need to be on qualifying benefits to receive the help.
Meanwhile, Haringey Council is offering residents £60 to help towards the cost of school uniforms for the 2023/24 academic year.
But you can only get the cash if your child was born between September 1, 2011, and August 31, 2012 and they are transferring to secondary school this September.
Plus, Hammersmith and Fulham Council is offering grants worth up to £79 to families who qualify for free school meals.
Those with children aged four or seven before September 1, will receive £31. Meanwhile, those with children aged 11 or 14 before September 1 will receive £79.
Both Haringey and Hammersmith and Fulham residents can apply via their respective council’s websites.
In Tower Hamlets, families can get £110 for each child heading into the 2023/24 academic year.
You can apply via the council’s website but only have until September 30.
Meanwhile, Hackney Council is offering £100 grants to families and you can apply on its website.
In both areas, again, you will have to be on certain benefits to qualify for the help.
Local councils in England set their own criteria for uniform grants meaning what is available and when to apply varies depending on where you live.
It might mean you can still get help for the current academic year too.
The best thing to do is check with your local council about what help is available and when to apply.
What can I get if I live in Scotland?
A number of councils in Scotland offer grants to families to help cover the costs of uniform.
But, like in England, the amounts vary based on where you live.
For example, Shetland Islands Council is offering grants worth up to £225 depending on the age of the child for the 2023/24 academic year.
Meanwhile, Fife Council is offering families £170 for each primary school-aged child and £200 for every secondary school-aged pupil.
In both these areas, residents will need to be on certain benefits to qualify, including Income Support and Universal Credit.
You can apply for the grants via your local council’s website.
The Scotland Government’s website says most local authorities accept applications between July and the end of March every year.
So you might have to wait a bit until you can apply for the 2023/24 academic year.
The grants are also usually paid in July or August before the new school year starts, but this varies depending on the local authority.
In any case, you should check with your local council to find out what support is on offer.
What can I get if I live in Northern Ireland?
To apply for 2022/23 school year you need to first register an account on the Education Authority’s website.
You can then apply online and your application will be reviewed and you will get a decision within four weeks.
At the time of writing it was not clear how much the Northern Ireland school uniform grant is for, but we will update here with that information in due course.
Extra help with school uniform costs
If you can’t get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you.
In some areas you can talk directly to your school who might be able to offer you clothing.
Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores.
Some charities offer help to families in need too.
For example, in Camden, London, residents can apply for help through the St Pancras Welfare Trust, Glasspool or London Ragamuffins.
But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.
Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch.
If you don’t know where your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch is, you can use the branch locator on its website.
If you’re not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund.
The fund is worth £842million and being distributed by councils in England.
But each local authority has been given a unique share of the pot meaning what you can get depends on where you live.
The money is being shared between households in different ways, either through vouchers or cash payments.
While the help isn’t always specifically allocated to spend on school uniforms, you can use it towards that if you want.
To apply you’ll have to contact your local council.
If you don’t know which one you fall under you can use the Government’s council locator tool online.
