Free School Meals and Clothing Grants
Free school meals
All P1-P5 children are eligible for free school meals. There is no need to complete any paperwork for this benefit but you do need to make an application if you wish to claim a Clothing Grant. We are currently waiting for further information from the Scottish Government regarding the proposed extension of universal free school meal entitlement to primary 6 and primary 7 children.
Children who are eligible for free school meals will be credited with a daily allowance within the cashless catering system used in primary schools and in secondary school the child's NEC card will be credited with a daily allowance.
Clothing grant
Families on low incomes may be eligible to receive a School Clothing Grant award of £120 for a Primary-aged child or £150 for a Secondary-aged child. The award is given annually to assist with the cost of purchasing essential school clothing. Only one clothing grant claim can be made per child for each year (1 April-31 March).
Check your eligibility
You can make a claim for free school meals or a clothing grant if you are receiving any of the following benefits:
• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers' Allowance
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit, with an income of less than £19.995
• Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of up to £9,552
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £796
If you are aged 16-18 years old, you may make a claim for free school meals and clothing grants, in your own right, if you receive any of the benefits that make you eligible.
If you are eligible for an EMA, you can’t apply for a clothing grant but can still request free school meals.
Make an application
If you are eligible and wish to make a new claim, complete an application form (PDF) and return directly, with the evidence requested on the form, to the Benefits Service. You can contact the Benefits Service to request an application form by post.
If you already receive free school means or a clothing grant you do not need to reapply, the Benefits Service will contact you automatically by post. If you have any queries you can contact the Benefits Service.
Please note:
• Claims will not be backdated and will only come into force once the Benefits Service has received the assessed form.
• Free school meals stop when you no longer receive any of the eligible benefits
• If you are in receipt of Tax Credits we will need to see your latest Tax Credit Award Notice
• It is your responsibility to inform the Benefits Service of any change in circumstances affecting Free School Meals/Clothing Grant.
How it is paid
Primary school children who are eligible for free school meals will have a daily credit added to their account on the school cashless catering system (iPay). Secondary school children will have a daily credit added to their NEC card. In both cases the schools will be notified.
Clothing grants will be paid directly into the bank account of the parent/guardian who has signed the application form.
When your circumstances change
If your household income changes and you are no longer eligible for free school meals, the Benefits Service will advise the school and the daily credit to the NEC card will end.
Help with school meals during school holidays 2023/2024
If you get free school meals you may also be able to get help during the school holidays. To qualify you need to receive one of the benefits in the eligibility section above. Moray Council will make direct payments into bank accounts on the dates below. Children receiving free school meals due to universal access for primary 1 to 5 are not eligible for these payments.
| Holiday period | Payment into bank account on | Value per child |
| Summer holiday 2023 | Tuesday 4 July 2023 |
£72.00 per primary school child (including primary 7 leavers) £75.00 per secondary school child |
| October holiday 2023 | Tuesday 10 October 2023 |
£24.00 per primary school child £25.00 per secondary school child |
| Christmas holiday 2023 | Tuesday 19 December 2023 |
£24.00 per primary school child £25.00 per secondary school child |
| Mid-term holiday February 2024 | Tuesday 6 February 2024 |
£4.80 per primary school child £5.00 per secondary school child |
| Easter holiday 2024 | Tuesday 2 April 2024 |
£24.50 per primary school child £26.50 per secondary school child |