Skip to content

Help with school costs: School Essentials Grant

Welsh Government are providing funding towards a School Essentials Grant scheme.

The Purpose of the Scheme is to enable the Council to provide grant assistance to families on low incomes for the purchase of:

  • School uniform including coats and shoes;
  • School sports kit including footwear;
  • IT Equipment: laptop and tablets ONLY (School Essentials should only be used in limited situations where a school is unable to loan equipment to the family)
  • Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to, scouts; guides; cadets; martial arts; sports; performing arts or dance;
  • Equipment e.g. school bags and stationery;
  • Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology; and
  • Equipment for out of school hour’s trips such as outdoor learning e.g. waterproofs.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Who's eligible and what's available?

The Funding is £125 per pupil, apart from Year 7 pupils for whom the figure is £200.00.

It's available to pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals (but not those that are Transitionally Protected) or are looked after, who are:

  • Entering Reception Class - Year 11 of maintained primary schools in September 2025; or
  • Pupils in special schools, special needs resource bases and pupil referral units who are aged 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 in September 2025.
  • Looked after children of compulsory school age and are classed as looked after by a local authority. The Local Authority in which the child attends school is responsible for issuing the grant.

Entitlement criteria for the grant:

If you receive one of the following benefits you may be entitled to receive a Grant :

  • Employment and Support Allowance (income based)
  • Income Support
  • Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee)
  • Help under Immigration and Asylum Seekers Act 1999 (No Recourse to Public Funds)
  • Universal Credit provided your household has an annualised net earned income of no more than £7,400

How to apply

If you receive Housing Tax Benefit or Council Tax Reduction from Cyngor Gwynedd, you will not have to complete an application form for a grant, we will assess your right automatically. If you do not receive Housing Tax Benefit or Council Tax Reduction from Cyngor Gwynedd, and are of the opinion that your family is entitled to a grant, you can download the application form below.

Application form - School Essentials Grant

Frequently asked questions

Contact us