Parents can get £200 to help with school uniform costs from today - how to claim
Parents in Wales can claim up to £200 to help with uniform costs this year
Thousands of parents can claim a free £200 to help cover the costs of school uniforms from today.
Parents across Wales can claim the free cash through the country's School Essentials Grant and applications for this year's scheme opened today (July 1). The grant is available to households on low incomes with children ranging from reception until year 11.
Households can get a grant of £125 per child, however, if your child is going into year 7, you'll be able to get a £200 payment for this academic year. Households can claim once per child per school year. So for example, if you have three children with one going into high school this September you can get £450 (two payments of £125 and one payment of £200).
The exact eligibility requirements will depend on your own local authority. For example, in Swansea, the School Essentials Grant is available to children and young people if they have free school meals, are in care, and are classed as No Resource to Public Funds (NRPF)
If you're eligible, the grant can be spent on a range of items including:
- School uniform, including coats and shoes
- School sports kit, including footwear
- IT Equipment: laptop and tablets only
- Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts, or dance
- Equipment - for example, school bags and stationery
- Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin, such as design and technology
- Equipment for out-of-school hours' trips such as outdoor learning - for example, water proofs
You will need to put in a claim for the grant through your local council's website. The 2024/25 scheme will run from July 1 2024, to May 31 2025.