Free School Meals and Clothing Allowances

Orkney Islands Council provides assistance with free school meals and clothing allowances to families on a low income who meet the eligibility criteria. To be awarded this assistance, proof must be provided that you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

The clothing allowance is a grant awarded to families on a low income to help towards the cost of clothing and footwear. This is paid once per academic year. The current clothing allowances are:

• £120 for primary children
• £150 for secondary children

Eligibility

You can apply for free school meals and clothing allowances if you are receiving:

• Universal Credit and your monthly earned income is under £796.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance.
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance (contributions-based is not accepted).
• 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.
• Scottish Child Payment (P6 and P7 pupils only) – FSM only: N/A for Clothing Allowances
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• If you are aged between 16 and 18 years old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can claim free school meals and a clothing allowance for yourself.

Primary 1-5

All children in Primary 1-5 are automatically entitled to a free school meal without the need to complete an application form. However, you should still complete an application form if you are eligible for a clothing allowance.

Primary 6 and Up

If you are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits listed above, you should complete an application form to apply for free school meals and clothing allowances.

Nursery

Children in nursery (aged two years and up) will be automatically entitled to a free school meal where they attend their setting over the middle of the day. Clothing allowances are not payable for nursery or pre-school aged children.

Contact Us

If you have any queries, or would like assistance completing your application form, please contact the team at:

Free School Meals and Clothing Allowances, Education, Leisure and Housing, Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY.

Telephone: 01856873535 extensions 2422 / 2416.

Further Information

Further information can be found at the OIC Free School Meals Web Page.