Miss School - Miss Out!

School Attendance Matters - Education Welfare Service

Education Welfare Benefits - A Guide for Parents

Free School Meals

School meals are available free of charge to children from families in receipt of Income Support, income based Job Seekers Allowance, or Child tax Credit with an income of less than £13,910.

Parents who receive income support or income based job seekers allowance should complete an application form, and have the form stamped by their local Benefits Agency.

Parents who receive Child Tax only must provide notification of child tax from the Inland Revenue

N.B. Parents who are in receipt of Working Tax Credit are not eligible for Free School Meals for their children.

For frequently asked questions and an application form on Free School Meals.

School Clothing Grant and Music Tuition

1. Families who are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Child Tax Credit only, with an income less than £13910.00 should qualify for a School Clothing Grant/Music Tuition for their child/children. Please provide evidence for benefit entitlement
2. Families who are in receipt of Working Tax Credit with an income less than £13910.00 should qualify for a School Clothing Grant/Music Tuition for their child/children provided a copy of the Tax Award Notice as issued by the Inland Revenue is attached
3. Families who are applying for a school clothing grant/music tuition on the basis of low income, must provide a full income declaration in Part 4;
   • Wage earners paid weekly must submit payslips covering the 5 week period immediately preceding the application, monthly pay must submit payslips covering the 2 previous months salaries.
   • Self-employed persons should provide either an accountant's letter stating the recent figures submitted to the Inland Revenue or if you prepare your own accounts, a letter from the tax office.
   • Please make it clear if any of the expenses are weekly, monthly or yearly amounts and provide documentary evidence of the expenses (e.g. rent book, council tax statements).

For frequently asked questions and an application form on School Clothing Grant.

Only one grant is payable each school year. Grants are issued as a book of vouchers which can be exchanged at any authorised stockist.

View the Guidance Notes and Application Form regarding Music Tuition .

Free Bus Pass

Pupils transferring to secondary school in September are not entitled to a free bus pass unless the nearest available High School is over three miles, by the shortest available walking route from their home. In the case of Roman Catholic pupils this will be the associated Tameside Roman Catholic High School.

However, pupils who travel more than three miles, and fall within the following categories may apply for a free bus pass:-

1. Families who are eligible for a Clothing Grant.
2. Pupils with special needs or physical difficulties.
3. Pupils unable to gain a place at a high school within three miles.
4. Pupils who during their last 2 years of secondary education have moved house within Tameside, or from outside the Borough, but wish to remain at their current school.

For further details and Application Form on Free Bus Pass.

For further information please contact the Education Services (Admissions Section) 0161 342 8355 ext. 3204.

Parents have a legal duty to ensure their children receive a regular, full-time education. To assist parents to fulfil this duty, welfare benefits are available for families whose income falls below a certain level.

If parents feel they would like to apply for some help, they should fill in the appropriate application form, available from their child's school, or any Customer Service Office.

Is it worth applying?

If you get income support or income based job seekers allowance, you will qualify for free school meals and clothing for your child/children - but you must complete an application form for each grant.

Even if you are not on income support, or are working, if your income is low - don't forget that mortgage repayments are counted as an expense and deducted from your income - you may still get help with school clothing or with music tuition charges.

Applications are sometimes very difficult to work out without assistance, because they depend on your income after other expenses have been deducted. Seek advice now from the Education Offices or the Education Welfare Officer for your area.

If parents feel they would like to discuss a problem with someone other than school staff, the Education Welfare Officer can help.

Confidential interviews can be arranged if required.

If you need further information or advice, contact the Education Welfare Service using the contact details below

Each school has a named Education Welfare Officer who can be contacted through the school or at the above address.

For further information please contact us using the contact details below

Other Telephone Numbers

Administration

Free School Meals - Frequently Asked Questions 0161 342 3257

School Clothing Grants 0161 342 3258

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Education Welfare Service Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 2290/2294
0161 342 2299