Clothing grant and free school meals 2025/2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I share custody of my child with another person and/or the school system shows a different address from the one shown on the application form?
We will pay only one clothing grant per child. We are unable to divide the payment between parents who share custody or pay a clothing grant to both parents. If custody is shared, we will pay the parent in receipt of child benefit if they also meet the qualifying criteria.
If we have a question about where your child lives, we will contact you using the information that you have provided on your application form. You will be asked to provide evidence that you receive child benefit for your child. This information is accessible using the online service (or HMRC app) via the link in the Other Websites section. We will not accept letters that are more than 4 weeks old. Please note bank statements are not accepted as evidence that you receive Child Benefit.
As queries will delay your payment, please ensure all change of details are given to the school your child attends as quickly as possible during the school year. If you think you may have forgotten to update a recent change, you can check the information held at school through Parent Portal or by calling the school.
How much is the clothing grant?
For the academic year 2025/2026, Inverclyde Council’s clothing grant will be £150 for each school aged child in your household.
When can I apply?
You can apply now.
The last date a clothing grant application will be considered for the 2025/2026 academic year is 31 May 2026. Free school meals can be applied for until the last day of term in June 2026.
How do I apply?
Applications can be submitted electronically, using a PC or a mobile device. The link to the form can be found in the Related Links section.
If you do not have access to the internet, please contact Education Services, on 01475 712850 - option 2.
What if I make a mistake on my application or you require further information?
Please ensure you monitor the email address that you have provided on your form. Should we require additional information we will use the email address you have provided to contact you. If we are unable to reach you using this email address, we will phone you. If we are still unable to reach you, we will aim to write to you within 3 weeks of submission of your application. During busy periods this may take a little longer.
Where we require additional information or evidence you will be asked to respond within 2 weeks of our requests. If we do not hear from you within the 2 weeks, we will assume you do not wish to proceed with the application and your paperwork may be destroyed. If you later decide to proceed with an application, you may be asked to reapply.
It is your responsibility to ensure your bank account details are accurate and that your account accepts BACS payment. Once a payment has been issued it is not always possible to re-call or re-issue it. Payment may be delayed or lost completely if you have provided the wrong bank account details.
When will my child receive free school meals?
If your application is approved during the summer holidays, free school meals will be available on the first school day after the summer break.
For applications received at any other time, meals will be available from the first school day after Education Services have approved the application. If the pupil has reached the age of 16 before 1st October, the school will also have to confirm they have returned before free school meals will be available.
When and how will I receive my clothing grant payment?
To make sure you receive your clothing grant payment before schools return in August, please submit your application form with the appropriate evidence by mid-July.
At all other times, clothing grant payments will be made directly into the bank account you have provided and normally around 10 days after we have a fully completed application and the appropriate evidence.
If your child is 16 before 1st October, the clothing grant payment will not be released until it has been confirmed your child has returned to school following the summer break - this means you will not receive payment for this child before the beginning of the academic year in August.
Payment will be made direct to the bank account you have provided, by BACS transfer. WE EXPECT THE FIRST PAYMENTS OF CLOTHING GRANT WILL BE RELEASED WEEK ENDING 27TH JUNE 2025. We kindly ask that you do not send repeat enquiries about the progress of your application as this delays our processing time.
It is your responsibility to ensure your bank account details are accurate and that your account accepts BACS payment. Once a payment has been issued it is not always possible to re-call or re-issue it. Payment may be delayed or lost completely if you have provided the wrong bank account details.
Will I receive confirmation that my application has been approved or that payment has been made?
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to reply to individual applicants to confirm receipt or authorisation of an application.
Where an electronic application has been submitted successfully, a notice will appear on your screen with a message confirming submission. Please take a screenshot of this message. Should there be any issue with your application, we will ask for this message as confirmation that an application has been submitted.
Within 24 of submission you will also receive an email from Admin@victoriaforms.com confirming receipt. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam or junk folder and call us on the number below if you have not received it. Please retain this email. Should there be any issue with your application, we will ask for this as confirmation that an application has been submitted.
Admin@victoriaforms.com that you will receive within the next 24 hours. Please check your spam or junk folder for the email before calling, if you have not received it.
If after 3 weeks you have not received a request for further information/evidence and you have not received your clothing grant payment, please contact Education Services on 01475 712850 - option 2.
What if my circumstances change?
You should immediately notify Education Services of the changes by sending an email to EMA.HO@inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively, a letter can be sent to Education Services, Wallace Place, Greenock PA15 1JB.
What if my income levels change from month to month?
If, at any point in the academic year, your income exceeds the thresholds shown above, for 2 consecutive months you must immediately notify Education Services of the changes by sending an email to EMA.HO@inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively, a letter can be sent to Education Services, Wallace Place, Greenock PA15 1JB.
What if I lose my qualifying benefit?
You should immediately notify Education Services of the changes by sending an email to EMA.HO@inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively, a letter can be sent to Education Services, Wallace Place, Greenock PA15 1JB.