Martin Lewis’ MSE reveals how to get up to £200 free cash for school uniforms – you need to be quick
MARTIN Lewis’ MSE has revealed how to bag up to £200 free cash for school uniforms – but you’ll have to act fast.
The Money Saving Expert team urged families to take advantage of the helping hand before they miss imminent deadlines.
Those who receive benefits such as Universal Credit could be entitled to the pay out if their council offers it.
While all local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales offer the non-repayable grant, this is not the case in England.
Full list of councils
Martin Lewis‘ MSE put together a helpful list of councils extending the scheme to their eligible residents on their website.
Locals who qualify in Bolton can expect to claim £30 towards school uniforms via the council website, and there is no deadline.
Meanwhile, parents in the City of London could be awarded up to £160 – but they must apply by July 31.
In Cumberland, the council is offering £100 payments, with no deadline.
Meanwhile those living in East Riding of Yorkshire may be entitled to a £40 boost, again with no deadline to claim.
Greenwich and Hackney councils are handing out £150 and £100 respectively, with the later accepting late applications after their initial deadline of June 30.
Households in Hammersmith and Fulham may be able to claim £79, while Haringey council is offering £60, with a deadline of March 31 next year.
Similarly, Hounslow resident can apply for £60 via the council website at any time.
Islington households could see £150 go towards their kids’ school uniforms, with no time limit in place to claim.
Hull and Nottingham councils are both handing out £40 payments, with the later implementing a deadline of December 31 2024.
Elsewhere, North Lincolnshire locals can bag up to £30 via their council website, while Rotherham residents could be entitled to £35 vouchers.
Those eligible do not need to apply as they will be issued automatically.
Meanwhile, the local Sandwell authority is giving parents £25 towards the new clothes, but they must submit their formed via the council website by January 31, 2025.
In Southwark, £45 payments are up for grabs, with an application deadline of August 11.
And, Tower Hamlets will be giving eligible households £125 – and residents must apply by September 30.
Wandsworth council is giving a £170 helping hand to its families – and this will be sent out automatically.
Westmorland and Furness has an open application to receive £75 vouchers.
Westminster has £150 non-repayable grants available to those who need it, and they can be claimed by contacting your child’s school as the funding is being distributed by them.
Finally, York residents could see a free £100 go towards essential uniform, which will be sent out automatically.
Help elsewhere
If your council is not offering the school uniform grants, there are other ways to access help.
The Household Support Fund, HSF, is extending their funding across the UK to provide aid to those in need.
They can offer money and vouchers towards essentials, from bills to school meals, and sometimes with school clothing.
But the extra influx of cash is scheduled to stop by September 30.
If the HSF can’t support you in your need for school uniform help, some schools themselves will offer assistance, so it is worth checking.
They will often be able to sign post parents to other charities and organisations that can help, if they can’t.
Supermarkets across the UK are also rolling out incredible deals on uniform pieces this summer to reward loyal customers amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Tesco’s 25 per cent off school uniform sale is back, while 50 per cent discounts were found on items in Poundland.
It is also worth looking for second-hand clothing, according to the MSE, who suggested parents take a gander on Facebook Marketplace and eBay for great deals.
And, some communities will offer help through social media groups, and set up school uniform banks that could be of valuable assistance.
Supermarket deals
Aldi
Discounter Aldi is bringing back its popular £5 uniform bundle deal this year.
Aldi’s essential bundle costs just £5 and is made up of sweatshirts, cardigans, polo shirts, trousers, skirts and cargo shorts.
It’s available in stores only from July 4, families will need to act fast because as with all Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Asda
Asda’s George range offers the following key pieces:
Boys Uniform
- 2-pack polo shirt – regular fit or 2pk short sleeves shirt – from £3
- 2-pack slim leg adjustable waist trousers – from £8
- 2-pack basic sweatshirt – from £5
- Black double strap cupsole school shoes – from £10
Girls Uniform
- 2-pack scallop polo shirt – regular fit or 2 pack short sleeve shirt – from £3
- 2-pack pleated skirt – from £8
- 2-pack basic cardigan – from £8
- 2 pack short sleeve shirts – from £5
- 2-pack white short sleeve school polo shirts – from £3
Peacocks
Discount fashion retailer Peacocks is offering its cheap uniform range in all stores with 20% off from July 28.
Its kids’ uniform goes from age 2-3 up to age 14-15 years, which is a new age range for this year.
Among its key items are:
- Kids blouse – £5/£6/£7
- Kids polo 2-pack – £6/£7/£8
- Kids skinny trousers – £9/£10/£11
- Kids bootcut trousers – £9/£10/£11
- Kids Bengaline super skinny trousers – £8/£9/£10
M&S
M&S has held prices on its school uniform since 2021 and has confirmed the return of its popular 20% off school uniform early bird offer from July 2.
You can get the discount by shopping online or in stores where uniform is stocked.
Some examples of its range include:
- From £7 for a 3 pack of 100% responsibly sourced cotton unisex polo shirts, featuring stain-resistant technology
- From £11 for 2pk Boys’ Slim Leg School Trousers
- From £12 for 2pk Girls’ Pleated School Pinafores
Tesco
Tesco is bringing back its 25% off uniform deal again this year, the sale starts on July 23.
It doesn’t tend to run for a long time, so it might be a good idea to stock up while you can.
You need to ensure you have your Tesco Clubcard or app when you get to the till so the discount is applied.
Tesco is yet to reveal the exact items available in the offer.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s says it has maintained its 2022 prices on its school uniform.
It is said to be introducing its 25% off sale on June 19.
Last year you could pick up two packs of polo shirts starting from £3, trousers from £4 and two packs of gingham dresses from £10 both online and in stores.
What is the Household Support Fund?
Households in need can claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.
The funding is supplied from a £421million pot by the Department for Work and Pensions.
It was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.
Councils up and down the country get a portion of the cash to allocate to vulnerable households.
For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.
Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.
Get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.
But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
What help is available for parents?
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
- 30 hours free childcare – Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours free childcare a week.
To qualify you must usually work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. - Tax credits – For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs.
- Childcare vouchers – If your employer offers childcare vouchers you can get up to £55 a week in tax and national insurance savings.
You pay for your childcare before your tax contributions are taken out.
This scheme is open to new joiners until October 4, 2018, when it is planned that tax-free childcare will replace the vouchers. - Tax-free childcare – Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.