Meals and Uniform Grants are subject to Department of Education Criteria and Education and Library Board Approval.
Application forms are now available from your local Education and Library Board. Completed forms with full verification received will be given priority in date order received.
Who is entitled to claim School Uniform Allowance?
A pupil shall be entitled to school uniform/physical education clothing where:
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The parent/guardian is in receipt of Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, or if a pupil claims Income Support in their own name; or,
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the parents receive the Child Tax Credit; and are ineligible for the Working Tax Credit; and have an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less; or,
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the parents receive Working Tax Credit; and have an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less and whose child/children are born on or after 2 July 2002 and is in full-time attendance at primary school or special school; or,
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he/she is the child of an asylum seeker supported by the Home Office National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
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the parent receives the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Full-time pupils in attendance at Primary / Secondary / Grammar Schools or who attend a Special School as a day pupil are entitled to uniform allowance.
The Clothing Scheme does not apply to pupils in attendance at Nursery Schools / Nursery units or Reception Classes.
Pupils attending Institutions of Further and Higher Education and doing Physical Education as part of their curriculum studies cannot be provided with an allowance for school uniform. They can only be provided with an allowance towards Physical Education Clothing.
What is the procedure for applying for School Uniform Allowance?
An application form for school uniform allowance has to be completed by Parent/Guardian/Claimant and forwarded to the Board in which you reside. Guidance can be obtained from your Local Education Board.
When will the School Uniform Allowance be paid?
The allowance cannot be paid out until after school year commences i.e. 1 August.
Why are the School Uniform Allowances for pupils of school leaving age not paid until September?
Allowances for pupils of school leaving age cannot be paid out until verification has been received from the Principal confirming that the pupil has actually returned.
Can I receive a School Uniform Allowance for all my children?
You can apply for school uniform allowance for children attending Primary, Secondary, Grammar, Voluntary Grammar, Integrated Secondary and Special Schools. Allowance for physical education clothing for students doing P.E at Institutions of Further and Higher Education can be claimed. Children attending mainstream Nursery schools / Nursery Units or Reception Classes are NOT ENTITLED.
If my partner or I are eligible for Working Tax Credit am I entitled to claim Uniform Grants for my children?
Parents who are eligible for Working Tax Credit are can apply for full-time pupils born on or after 2 July 2002 who attend Primary /Special Schools.
Parents eligible for Working Tax Credit are not entitled to a uniform allowance for children born on or before 1 July 2001.
How much money will I be entitled to for School Uniform Allowance?
Entitlement is as follows:
| School Year 2013/2014 01 August 2013 - 31 July 2014 |
| Mainstream Primary Allowance Uniform Allowance of £35.75 for mainstream primary pupils (includes P.E allowance) Post Primary and Special School Allowance Uniform allowance of £51.00 for Post Primary and Special School pupils under 15 years of age on 01/08/2013 Uniform allowance of £56.00 for Post Primary and Special School pupils 15 years of age or over on 01/08/2013 |
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| P.E allowance of £22.00 for all eligible pupils attending Post Primary and Special Schools |
How is School Uniform Allowance paid?
Some Boards pay the school uniform allowance directly to the claimant by cheque and others pay directly into bank accounts.
If my child goes to school in another Board what must I do?
Parents must always apply to the Boards area they reside in. If a child attends school in another Boards area, providing the parents are in receipt of the appropriate benefits school uniform allowance shall be paid by the Board in which you reside.
The amount of money awarded for School Uniform is inadequate as it does not cover the cost of the School Uniform?
The school uniform/physical education clothing allowance is only a contribution towards the cost of school uniform.
Can more than one School Uniform Allowance be paid for a child during the same school year?
No, only one allowance per pupil can be paid during the school year.
