LATEST NEWS
Following a change in HMRC policy regarding the provision of Child Benefit Entitlement letters to prove guardianship, updated information on alternative forms of supporting evidence is now available. This affects applications for free school meals and clothing grants and also EMA. Please click here| for further information.
General Information
Falkirk Council can provide free school meals, and payment towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. Your child(ren) must attend any primary, special or secondary school managed by Falkirk Council to qualify. Payments may also be paid where pupils are attending some special schools outside the area. School Clothing Grants & Free School Meals will not be awarded to children attending nursery schools, nursery classes or other pre-5 centres.
Pupils are eligible if their parents/carers are in receipt of the benefits in the 'will I qualify' table below.
How much is the clothing grant and how will it be paid?
The grant is £50 for each child who qualifies. School clothing grants will be paid directly into the applicant's bank account. We cannot pay into Post Office Accounts.
When and how do I apply?
You can apply for Free School Meals at any time. Meals will be provided from the date the application is approved and cannot be back dated.
You can apply for Footwear & Clothing Grants up to 31st March 2012, but please apply as soon as possible. Only one Footwear & Clothing Grant per child is allowed for each school year.
Application forms are available to download| or can be picked up from any of the offices listed below. Please complete the application form in black or blue ink. Evidence of the qualifying benefits must be attached when submitting this form. You must also be in receipt of Child Benefit for the child(ren) you are applying for. Please note that a bank statement is not an acceptable proof of income or Child Benefit.
A new claim for clothing grant and free school meals is needed for each school year.
Will I qualify?
Age Eligibility:
Parents of children who are born between 1st October 1995 and 28th February 2007 and who attend a primary, secondary or special school (not nursery) are eligible to apply for a Clothing Grant and Free School Meals.
Parents of children who are 16 or over on or before 30th September 2011 can apply for Free School Meals only not a Clothing Grant. Your child may instead qualify for Education Maintenance Allowance (please see Education Maintenance Allowance| page for further information).
Income Eligibility
|
Benefits / Income
|
Does this qualify for clothing grant?
|
Does this qualify for free school meals?
|
|
Income Support or
Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) Or Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit and the gross annual income is below £15,860
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and the gross annual income is below £15,860
|
YES
|
Only if Income is Below £6,420
|
Can I get help with the form?
You can get help with filling out your form from any of the offices listed below. General advice is also available from the Council's Customer First Team on 01324 590599.
Where will I return my form and supporting documents?
Completed forms with original supporting documents may be taken or posted to any of the offices listed below. Please ensure sufficient postage is applied for postal applications. Original supporting documents will be returned to you. Please note that Bank statements are not acceptable as proof of income or child benefit.
If you take your form and supporting documents in person to one of the offices listed below they will be photocopied and returned to you immediately.
Please note that the Registration Offices in Newmarket Street, Falkirk and Redding Road, Brightons and Education Services, Sealock House, Grangemouth are unable to accept forms.
-
Bo'ness One Stop Shop
24 East Pier Street,
Bo'ness EH51 9AB
Tel: 01506 778899
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
-
Camelon One Stop Shop
256 Main Street, Camelon,
Falkirk FK1 4DY
Tel: 01324 503640
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
-
Denny One Stop Shop
Carronbank House, Carronbank Crescent
Denny FK6 6GA
Tel: 01324 504050
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
-
Falkirk One Stop Shop
Callendar Square,
Falkirk FK1 1ZF
Tel: 01324 506868
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
-
Grangemouth One Stop Shop
5York Lane,
Grangemouth FK3 8BD
Tel: 01324 504540
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
-
Stenhousemuir One Stop Shop
398 Main Street,
Stenhousemuir FK5 3JR
Tel: 01324 503340
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
-
Registration Office
15a Seaview Place,
Bo'ness EH51 0AJ
Tel: (01506) 778990
Hours of opening: Monday,Wednesday and Friday 9am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm
-
Registration Office
Carronbank House, Carronbank Crescent
Denny FK6 6GA
Tel: (01324) 504280
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday 9am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm
-
Registration Office Municipal Chambers, Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth FK3 8AF
Tel: (01324) 504499
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday
9am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm
-
Registration Office
318 Main Street, Stenhousemuir FK5 3BE
Tel: (01324) 503580
Hours of opening: Monday-Friday
9am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm
What happens next?
A large number of applications are received each year and are processed as quickly as possible in order of receipt and it may take approximately 28 days from receipt of application to process. Between June and September (our peak period) it may take a little longer - please allow for this time. One application form is suitable for all children in your family, even if they attend different schools within the Falkirk area.
If your child qualifies for Free School Meals we will tell their Headteacher. Meals will be provided from the date the application is approved and can not be back dated.
If your application for clothing grant is successful we aim to send you a payment before the new school year starts but this cannot be guaranteed.
If you are not entitled to a clothing grant payment or free school meals we will notify you.