P6 to S6 pupils are entitled to free school meals, clothing grants and holiday meal payments if the household receives one of these qualifying benefits. You can apply if your household receives one of the following:

• Income support
• Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit (where their monthly earned income is not more than £850)
• Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit

• You can also apply if:

• you are 16 to 18 years old and receive a low income qualifying benefit
• you have no access to public funds, normally due to immigration status
• you are a family awaiting your first monthly Universal Credit award notice

The school clothing grant is £160 for primary school children and £172 for high school children.

Application

Clothing Grants and Free School meals applications for the school term starting in August 2025, open on 1 July 2025.

If you have any issues with the Highland Council online application form or questions about the free school meals and clothing assistance scheme, then contact them by email at clothingandmeals@highland.gov.uk.

Alternatively, the Welfare Support Team can be contacted at welfare.support@highland.gov.uk for advice and assistance in making an application.

Free School Meals enquiries

Email: clothingandmeals@highland.gov.uk