Universal free school meals are provided to all pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 5.
From February 2025, this provision was extended to include pupils in Primary 6 and 7 where families were in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
You can use the clothing grant and free school meal application form to tell us this and that you wish your child to receive a universal free school meal.
If you are on a low income, you child may qualify for income-based free school meals and milk as well as a grant towards school clothing. Pupils awarded income-based free school meals will also receive the school meal support payment during the school holiday periods.
If you think you are eligible, you should make an application for income-based free school meals to make sure you are also considered for the school clothing grant and holiday school meal support. We will advise you on your eligibility and we will make sure that you receive the correct award.
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria are shown below. Please note that applications for the new school term commencing in August are not processed until the end of the school term in June.
Please wait until at least 14 days after that date has passed before contacting us if you need to check on the progress of your application.
Check if you qualify
Check the table below to see what you may qualify for.
Eligibility criteria
| Type of income/benefit | Free school meals | School clothing grant |
|---|
| Income Support |
Yes |
Yes |
| Income-based Jobseekers Allowance |
Yes |
Yes |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance |
Yes |
Yes |
| Universal Credit, where monthly earned income is up to £850 |
Yes |
Yes |
| Universal Credit, where monthly earned income is up to £1,560 |
No |
Yes |
| Council Tax Reduction and/or Housing Benefit |
No |
Yes |
| Scottish Child Payment (only for pupils in Primary 6 or 7) |
Yes |
No |
| Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 |
Yes |
Yes |