Help with school uniform costs

If you're on a low income, your local council might offer a school uniform grant.

This is often between £50 and £200 and you don’t have to pay this money back.

It’s not available everywhere, so check with your local council if they offer this type of support.

You should also be aware that eligibility criteria will vary across the country.

For example, some councils will only give a grant if your child is starting a new school year, or when they’re moving from primary to secondary school.

Also, different authorities will have their own deadlines, so applications may only be accepted at certain times of the year.

Each council has its own rules, but to get a school uniform grant, you’ll usually need to be eligible for means-tested free school meals.

You don’t have to actually be getting these meals, but just be entitled to them if you want them.

Your child could get free school meals if you get benefits including: 

• universal credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• the guaranteed element of pension credit
• income support
• income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• support under part VI of the immigration and asylum act 1999
• child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• working tax credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit

You can get free payments of up to £200 to cover the cost of living through the household support fund (HSF).

Launched in 2021, the HSF was set up to help people who are vulnerable, in hardship or crisis and can’t afford to pay for essential items.  

You don’t need to be receiving benefits to be eligible, but different councils do have different eligibility criteria.  

Each council also decides what type of help to offer, but it usually comes in the form of vouchers for supermarkets or energy bills, one-off cash grants that don't need to be paid back or even free appliances.

The latest round will run between April 2025 and March 2026 and the fund is open for applications now. 

You should get in touch with your local council to apply for the funding. 

If you can’t get a grant from your local council, there are options to keep costs down.

Ask your school for support

Many schools will help parents who are struggling with the cost of uniforms, such as vouchers that you can use at approved retailers.

Buy early

Sales and discounts on school uniforms typically come at the start of the summer holidays, so you could save money if you don’t wait until the school term is about to start.

You could even take advantage of the lower prices to buy items that your child will grow into over the next year, so you don’t have to pay more for them later on.

Buy second-hand uniforms

Most schools offer second-hand uniforms, so ask the school office or check their website for details.

Meanwhile, some local charities and community groups may run uniform banks or swap shops in your area.

Buy plain uniforms from supermarkets

Big retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda sell plain uniforms for low prices.

These can be ideal if your child’s school doesn’t require branded clothing.

And if they do, you might be able to get the school badge on its own and iron it on a generic jumper or sweatshirt.

Check local community resources

Many parents will sell or give away old uniform items that are as good as new online, perhaps on Facebook Marketplace, local Facebook groups, Vinted and eBay.

Just search for your school’s name and see if there are any bundles that would be right for you and your child.