Do low income families get help with school uniform

[Wobbles]

I'm just wondering for a friends OH - his ex partner has 3 children (2 in junior school and 1 last year of high school). Mum is working part time so assume gets child and working tax credits (?).

Do you get help/grants with school uniforms?

 

[.Mrs.B.]

I've never heard of people getting help specifically for uniforms.

 

[JessdueJan]

Not that I know of but its probably something that should be available. Especially for those with children moving into secondary schools, it can cost a fortune when you factor in all the sports kit etc they need xx

 

[Sarahcake]

I think some councils have grants available but not all. Mine used to, but I can't find anything on it now

 

[DJJ]

While I was on income support I was eligible for some school uniform but not sure what the criteria is. I'm in Shropshire.

 

[CaptainMummy]

I get the school uniform grant for ny eldest. It is £50 per child here, I'm in receipt of income support, not sure if tax credits alone would qualify. My council has a bit on their websites that explains eligibility x

 

[loeylo]

In Scotland they do, both through a grant and also uniform banks, where parents make a donation and get an allocation of uniform items.

 

[WackyMumof2]

We can get grants if on a low income here in NZ but it must be paid back. At the moment the boys are at a mufti clothing school so it's a blessing although I really would prefer uniform but hubby was NOT going to agree to a Catholic education because I wanted them in one.

Eldest is off to Intermediate in 2019 so he's off to a school that deals though from 10-18 years because I am NOT paying for a uniform for 2 years of Intermediate before paying for a brand new one for High School - and I would be buying new uniforms for my 2 eldest every year for 4 years if we did!! Years 7-13 and one uniform for 7 years. Will cost me close to $400 for each of them but I'd rather that than what we were thinking about! And this one has a fantastic Special Needs Unit that will benefit both the kids and keep them at the expected levels minimum so that's an added bonus for us.

 

[ClairAye]

Where I live in Scotland you do. The form says you need to be in recipt of Universal Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, CTC but not WTC or CTC and WTC depending on your monthly income. Each eligible child gets £56. I might have been eligible for this without even noticing!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I got a 100 voucher when I was on income support

 

[Wobbles]

I got a 100 voucher when I was on income support

Every year per child? x

 

[CaptainMummy]

Where I live in Scotland you do. The form says you need to be in recipt of Universal Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, CTC but not WTC or CTC and WTC depending on your monthly income. Each eligible child gets £56. I might have been eligible for this without even noticing!

Only £50 here, yet the town 5 minutes away gets £70!

 

[luci and bump]

Who did you speak to about applying? This would be a huge help in buying my daughter's uniform!

 

[CaptainMummy]

Who did you speak to about applying? This would be a huge help in buying my daughter's uniform!

Here, you apply online, via the local council website. It literally takes a few minutes and also automatically entitles you to receive it again the following year.

 

[ClairAye]

Who did you speak to about applying? This would be a huge help in buying my daughter's uniform!

My son got a form in a folder with all of the other forms etc but it is from the council not the school so I would say ask your local council.

 

[ClairAye]

Where I live in Scotland you do. The form says you need to be in recipt of Universal Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, CTC but not WTC or CTC and WTC depending on your monthly income. Each eligible child gets £56. I might have been eligible for this without even noticing!

Only £50 here, yet the town 5 minutes away gets £70!

That's crazy how much it varies! I wonder if they all cost different. It is £8.75 for a polo shirt and £13 something for hoodies here. I also read the school has like a second hand uniform 'shop' at the office which is a good idea!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

kI got a 100 voucher when I was on income support

Every year per child? x

£50 per secondary child and £100 for the new starter. Even when I moved, not on benefits we got given £40 for each child from school to buy new uniforms!

 

[MindUtopia]

Many schools also have a few secondhand uniform items available for sale if you're on a lower income if you contact them. I know our school website has some information about this. I suspect there isn't a lot of choice, but worth a try if nothing else.