Ask Citizens Advice: Universal Credit is being cut - can I get any help with school costs?

Citizens Advice Rochdale is a local charity that provides free, independent, impartial, confidential advice to people in Rochdale.

The Citizens Advice brand is steeped in over 80 years of history and is one of the most recognised brands in the country, supporting millions of people each year across England and Wales. 

Each month, we share advice around a key issue that we’re seeing across Rochdale. 

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"I’m a single parent and lost my job during the pandemic. My local Citizens Advice helped me apply for Universal Credit which has been really helpful to cover some of the income I’ve lost. But I’m very worried about the upcoming £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit ‐ I don't know how I'll be able to pay for the school uniforms and shoes, especially as they grow so fast! Is there any other support out there to help plug the gap?"

If you're on a low income or unemployed, you might be able to get help with some of the costs of sending your child to school, including school meals, transport and uniform. It’s always worth talking to your local education authority to see what support is available as some of their resources and offerings can differ. The following information is for England.

Free school meals

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically get free school meals. If you have older children you can apply for free school meals if you get certain benefits. In your case as you’re on Universal Credit and you applied after 1 April 2018 you would be eligible if you earn less than £7,400 a year without benefits. You can see the full list of eligibility requirements on the Citizens Advice website.

To apply for free school meals you need to contact Rochdale Council.

Transport

If your children are aged between five to 16, Rochdale Council offers travelling expenses if you don't live near school or your child is unable to walk there and you meet other criteria, for example, your child receives free school meals or you receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credit. The full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply are on the Rochdale Council web site.

Uniforms and other costs

There may be local charitable schemes to help with the cost of uniforms, music lessons or trips and activities, it’s worth checking with the school to see if it knows of any. Schools can also sometimes also advise on finding secondhand uniforms and there are a number of uniform exchanges in the borough.

Read more: School uniform exchanges across the boroughPublished: 16 August 2021

What’s next

If your child is staying in education after year 11, you must tell HMRC’s Child Benefit Office if you want to continue receiving child benefit and any extra support for children within means-tested benefits. When your child turns 16, HMRC will send you a letter asking whether your child will stay in education or training. You must reply to this letter to keep getting Child Benefit.

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If you’d like to find out more about our service for Rochdale residents, and access advice online, go to www.casort.org.

You can also call our friendly team for further advice on 0808 278 7803 (freephone)

Our advice gives people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.