Families and parents in Wales can now apply for a £200 grant to help with school costs such as uniform and stationery. The school essentials grant is a support payment available for those who qualify to help cover the price of school essentials.

The money is available to families on lower incomes who claim certain benefits and some other groups in Wales. The money can be used for common essentials like uniforms, stationery and sports equipment and could provide a boost to parents and families.

However, last school year only 88% of eligible households claimed the support, so this year people are being urged to check whether they qualify for the help. The Welsh Government announced that the scheme for the academic year 2024 to 2025 opened on July 29, 2024, and will remain open until May 31, 2025.

Here is everything you need to know about the school essentials grant including how much you get, who qualifies and how to get it. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here.

What is the school essentials grant?

The grant is available to families on lower incomes and those who qualify for certain benefits. All looked after children also qualify for the grant, it states on the Welsh Government website. It can be used to buy any essential school items. All learners in compulsory school years are eligible and families can claim the grant once per school year per child.

The grant can be used to pay for:

• school uniform, including coats and shoes
• school activities, like learning a musical instrument, sports kit and equipment for after-school activities
• classroom essentials, like pens, pencils and bags

In addition to support paid to a learner’s family, their school or setting will also receive extra funding. This funding is used to support learners from lower income families, for example by paying for support staff. This applies to learners in all schools and settings, including special schools and pupil referral units.

How do I claim?

You must register your eligibility through your council. You can apply every year for each of your children. Learners from all kinds of education settings are eligible as long as they are aged four (in Reception) to 16.

For a learner to be eligible, their parent must receive one or more of the following:

• Income support
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed element of pension credit
• Child tax credit (as long as parents do not also get working tax credit and their annual income is £16,190 or less before tax)
• Working tax credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after parents stop qualifying for working tax credit)
• Universal credit (as long as the annual net earned household income is less than £7,400, not including benefits)

Even if your child already receives a free school meal, you still need to check eligibility to access the grant and extra funding for your school.

How much am I entitled to?

It provides:

• £125 per child
• £200 for children entering Year 7 (in recognition of the extra cost of starting secondary school)