North Lanarkshire Council

How to apply
If you think you qualify for free school meals and clothing grants, complete the form making sure the benefit you receive is clearly identified. Sign the application form to indicate whether you are claiming for free school meals and/or clothing grant. Submit the form to your Area Registration Office.
Check your benefits and circumstances on the table. It will show if you are entitled to free school meals and/or clothing grant.

Process of application
When the application is received by the Area Registration Office it will be logged and given a reference code to ensure confidentiality. All relevant documentation will then be assessed to allow the application to be processed. Submit to any Area Registration Office.
You will be advised at this time whether you qualify and if not, an explanation will be given.
If your application for free school meals is successful, the school will be notified immediately. The information submitted will be treated in confidence at all times.

All applications
In addition to your qualifying benefits you will be expected to provide the following documentation.

• Child Benefit award letter (proof of parentage/Legal Guardianship)                                                             

Applicants must re apply every year. Applications are distributed via schools and also via the website, First Stop Shops and Area Offices. Applications should be submitted with proof of current benefit from 1 April 2010.
If you collected an application form elsewhere, you should take your completed application form to your local Area Registration Office.

Child(ren) who will be 16 years of age between 1 March and 30 September (children of school leaving age)
Include these children on your form. Clothing grant payments will not be made until they return to school in the new session and this has been confirmed to an Area Registration Office.
Upon confirmation of a pupils return to school free school meals entitlement and/or clothing grant will be awarded.
If you are uncertain, please contact any Area Registration Office for further information.

Payments
Applications will be accepted from first week in June. Payment will be made before the new session. Applications submitted during the school term will normally be processed within two weeks.
Clothing grant is £70 per child and payment will be made by either BACS or open cheque which will be issued to the person who signs the form. Cheques can be cashed in any Clydesdale bank in North Lanarkshire, except Harthill, Kilsyth, Lennoxtown, Shotts and Stepps where cheques will be cashed by Royal Bank of Scotland.
If you have any problems cashing the cheque you should contact your local Area Registration Office.
Only one clothing grant will be paid for any pupil during a school year.

Change of circumstances
Should there be any change in your benefits during the school session your local Area Registration Office should be contacted immediately. It is your responsibility to notify the local Area Registration Office of any changes as this could affect your entitlement .
If you are no longer entitled to free school meals the school should be informed immediately.
Dietary provision
If you are in receipt of qualifying benefit(s) and your child(ren) has any special dietary provision this should not disqualify parents from making an application.
Free school meals can be provided to child(ren) with medically diagnosed dietary needs.
For further information please contact your local area registration office, or by using the 'Contact Us' box at the top right hand side of your screen.