Free School Meals and Clothing Grants

Free school meals

All children in Primary 1 to 5 receive free school meals.

From February 2025 the Scottish Government extended this offer to pupils in P6 and P7 who receive the Scottish Child Payment but do not currently get Free School Meals.

Parents/carers of P6 and P7 eligible pupils are invited to apply.  Your child’s school lunch will be free if you get Scottish Child Payment, but you will NOT be entitled to the clothing grant, holiday payments or free school milk. Milk will still need to be paid for in the normal way. 

There is no limit on the number of children in a family that can receive the payment, but we need to verify the paperwork for each named child.

Support with school uniform

All low-income families can apply for support with school uniform. This is paid in regular payments throughout the year.

• £120 for primary pupils per year

• £150 for secondary pupils per year

Read the school uniform and clothing guidance

Apply for support

Who does not need to apply

You may not need to apply as we contact families automatically in July if they get:

• Midlothian Council Housing Benefit or Council Tax reduction

• and either

  • Income Support

  • Income based Job Seekers Allowance

  • Employment and Support Allowance

Who does need to apply

If you do not receive a letter in July you will need to apply at the start of the new school year. You can apply for a child or if you are aged 16-18 and live on your own you can apply for yourself.