School Essentials Grant Wales 2025/26: Everything You Need to Know
If you have school-age children and you’re on certain benefits, there’s a Welsh Government grant that can help cover the cost of uniforms, kit, stationery and more. It’s called the School Essentials Grant Wales (also known as PDG Access or the “uniform grant”), and every eligible family applies through their local council.
This guide covers who qualifies, what the money can be spent on, and how to apply depending on where you live in Wales.
Key information for 2025/26
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Standard grant amount | £125 per eligible child |
| Year 7 grant amount | £200 per eligible child (to reflect increased secondary school costs) |
| Scheme opens | 1 July 2025 |
| Scheme closes | 31 May 2026 |
| Year groups covered | Reception to Year 11 |
| How often can you apply? | Once per child, per school year |
Who qualifies for the School Essentials Grant?
To be eligible, your child must be in Reception to Year 11 at a maintained school in Wales, and you must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits below.
| Qualifying benefit | Income threshold |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Household earnings less than £7,400 per year after tax (excluding benefit income) |
| Child Tax Credit | Annual income no more than £16,190 before tax, and not also receiving Working Tax Credit |
| Income Support | No additional income threshold |
| Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based) | No additional income threshold |
| Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) | No additional income threshold |
| Pension Credit | No additional income threshold |
| Support under the Immigration and Asylum Seekers Act 1999 / No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) | Eligible at local authority discretion |
All children in local authority care (looked-after children) also qualify, in every school year. Receiving the grant will not affect your tax or any other benefits.
The important bit about Universal Free School Meals
Getting Universal Primary Free School Meals does not mean you automatically qualify for the School Essentials Grant. All primary pupils in Wales get a free meal regardless of income, but to access the School Essentials Grant your child must be registered for means-tested Eligible Free School Meals (eFSM). Children receiving free meals through transitional protection arrangements also do not qualify. If you haven’t applied for eFSM, you need to do that first through your local council.
What can the grant be spent on?
- School uniform, including coats and shoes
- School sports kit and footwear
- Uniform for after-school enrichment activities such as scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts or dance
- School bags, pens, pencils and stationery
- Specialist equipment for new curriculum activities such as design and technology
- Outdoor learning equipment such as waterproofs
- Non-uniform essentials to support access to residential outdoor education
- Laptops or tablets only (and only where the school cannot loan one to the family)
How to apply: find your county
You apply through your local council, not directly through the Welsh Government. Applications open on 1 July 2025 and close on 31 May 2026. Find your county below for the direct application link and local contact details.
Applications are made through the Carmarthenshire County Council online portal. You’ll need to create a council account before you can apply.
Full guide to school grants in Carmarthenshire — including free school meals, free breakfast, school transport, and charitable trust funds.
Applications for both the School Essentials Grant and free school meals are made through the Pembrokeshire County Council website. If you’re eligible, you’ll also be considered for the grant automatically within two weeks of your free school meals application being received.
Full guide to school grants in Pembrokeshire — including free school meals, transport eligibility checker and application links.
The Ceredigion scheme runs from 1 July 2025 to 31 May 2026. Existing claimants are processed automatically over the summer. New applicants need to apply via the council’s online form. Applications can also be made by phone on 01545 570881 or in person at a Customer Service Centre.
Full guide to school grants in Ceredigion — including free school meals, sixth form eligibility, and transitional protection explained.
The Swansea scheme runs from 1 July 2025 to 31 May 2026 and applications take up to 7 days to process. Apply for the School Essentials Grant and free school meals through separate Swansea Council online forms. For queries email schooluniformgrant@swansea.gov.uk.
Swansea also has the GROW Cymru ABC123 recycled uniform project for affordable second-hand uniforms.
Full guide to school grants in Swansea — including the GROW recycled uniform scheme, free school meals contacts and transport information.
Both the School Essentials Grant and free school meals are applied for through the NPT online portal. They are separate applications. You can apply once per child per school year. Have your National Insurance number, bank details and child’s school name ready before you start.
Full guide to school grants in Neath Port Talbot — including free school meals, school transport and ALN travel support.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more general information about managing school costs, take a look at our Help With School Costs guide. You can also check your county’s term dates to plan ahead for when the new school year starts.