Free School Meals and Clothing Grants
Posted on 14th Nov 2018 at 10:45 ( Last updated on 14th Nov 2018 at 11:48 )
If you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit then your child, attending a primary or secondary school in West Lothian, is entitled to free school meals, school milk, and a clothing grant.
For help with this, contact Drew McLellan, our Welfare Benefits Advisor. He can help to download and complete an application form.
Qualifying benefits include:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Any income-related element of Employment & Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of £16,015 or less
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an annual income of £6,420 or less
- Universal Credit where the monthly earned income does not exceed £610
You are not entitled if you receive contributions-based Jobseeker's Allowance or contributions-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
If you qualify, the cost of meals is either paid directly to the council so the child can be provided with school dinners just like everyone else, or the money is transferred to an electronic swipe card if the school has such a system. (Please note that the credit on a swipe card cannot be carried forward if it is not used).
How to apply
You can pick up an application form from council information centres, schools, or libraries. They are also available from the Civic Centre in Livingston and the Advice Shop in Bathgate.
Alternatively, download an application form here.
If you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you will need to show an award letter when you hand in the application form. Or get the Jobcentre Plus to stamp your form before you hand it back into the council.
One form can be used to claim for up to six children.
If you are an Almond tenant and you'd like some help applying, contact Drew McLellan, Welfare Benefits Advisor, at 01506 439 291 or email Drew via enquiries@almondha.org.uk