Help with School Costs

School has started again and most parents have already had to pay out for school uniforms. However, it is still possible to get help to pay for the cost during the school year, even if you have already bought the uniforms. For the school year 2011/2012, the grant is £35.75 for primary school pupils and £73 for secondary school pupils under the age of  15 on the 1st of August (including £22 towards a PE kit). For those over the age of 15 on the 1st of August the grant is £78. Pupils may also be entitled to free school meals.

Parents are entitled to get support with these costs if they receive certain qualifying benefits:

• Income Support; or
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; or
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); or
• Child Tax Credit  and on a gross annual income of less than £16,190; or
• Working Tax Credit, with a gross annual income of £16,190 or less, and the pupil was born on or after 2 July 2000 and attends a primary or special school; or
• National Asylum Support Service

The grant for school uniforms can be received for each eligible child in the household, and can only be used for approved items such as blazers or shirts. Grants for uniforms are not available for nursery school.
Parents who wish to find out more about the help available with the costs of education can contact their nearest CAB or their local Education and Library Board. There is also a CAB factsheet, Help with School Costs, available from here.