School Grants in Pembrokeshire: Free Meals, Uniforms & Financial Help

School uniform, bag and stationery on a desk representing the School Essentials Grant in Pembrokeshire

School costs add up fast, from uniforms to packed lunches, kit bags to stationery. The good news is there’s a decent amount of financial help available through Pembrokeshire school grants and support schemes, and it’s not always well publicised. This page pulls it all together so you can see what you might be entitled to and how to actually apply.

Already getting Universal Primary Free School Meals? That doesn’t mean you’re registered for everything. You may still need to apply separately for the School Essentials Grant and Eligible Free School Meals. Keep reading, it’s worth the five minutes.

School Essentials Grant (PDG Access)

This is a cash grant from the Welsh Government to help cover the cost of things your child actually needs for school. It goes by a few names, including the Pupil Development Grant Access and the “uniform grant,” but it’s all the same scheme.

The money can be used for:

School uniform, including coat and shoes
Sports kit and footwear
Uniform for after-school activities like scouts, guides, cadets or dance
School bag and stationery
Specialist equipment when new curriculum activities start
Outdoor learning kit such as waterproofs
Laptops or tablets (only if the school can’t loan one)

How much is available? Up to £125 per eligible child, with £200 for children starting Year 7. These figures are set by the Welsh Government and may change each year.

To qualify, you’ll usually need to be receiving one of these benefits:

Universal Credit (with household net income no more than £7,400 per year)
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit (annual income no more than £16,190, and not also receiving Working Tax Credit)
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying)
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Children who are looked after (in foster care or a residential placement) may also be eligible. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, apply anyway and Pembrokeshire Council will check for you.

Not sure if you qualify? Read our full Wales School Essentials Eligibility Guide to check the income thresholds.

You apply directly through Pembrokeshire County Council online.

Apply for the School Essentials Grant

Free School Meals: what’s the difference?

There are two types of free school meals in Wales and it’s worth knowing which is which.

Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM)

All full-time primary school pupils in Pembrokeshire automatically get a free meal during term time. You don’t need to apply and it doesn’t depend on your income.

Eligible Free School Meals (eFSM)

This is the income-based version. Even if your child already gets a free meal through the universal scheme, you should still apply for eFSM if you’re on a qualifying benefit, because it unlocks extra support including the School Essentials Grant. If your child qualifies for eFSM, they’ll get free school meals and you’ll also be considered for the School Essentials Grant automatically within two weeks of your application.

You don’t need to reapply every year unless your circumstances change, you change your surname, or you have a new child starting school who hasn’t been applied for before. If your income or benefits change, let the council know as soon as possible.

Qualifying benefits for eFSM are the same as for the School Essentials Grant listed above.

Apply for Free School Meals

Contact the Free School Meals team:
Phone: 01437 764551
Email: free.school.meals@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Free Breakfast Clubs

Free breakfast clubs are available at primary schools across Pembrokeshire as part of the Welsh Government’s Free Breakfast scheme. Check with your school directly to confirm they run a breakfast club and what time it opens.

Free School Transport

It’s worth checking whether your child qualifies for free transport before you decide which school to apply to, as this can make a real difference to the cost of the school run. Your child may qualify for a free school bus pass if all of the following apply:

They live in Pembrokeshire
They are of compulsory school age
They attend their designated catchment area school
They live more than 2 miles from their primary school, or more than 3 miles from their secondary school

There are also exceptions for children with Additional Learning Needs, dual residency, and children attending schools outside Pembrokeshire. Contact the Integrated Transport Unit for advice if any of these apply.

You can check whether your address falls within the catchment area for transport eligibility using the Pembrokeshire school transport eligibility checker.

Integrated Transport Unit
County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP
Phone: 01437 775222
Email: school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Apply for a School Bus Pass

Free Books and Resources

Don’t forget your local library. Pembrokeshire’s libraries offer free access to books, reading resources and digital services for all ages, which is a handy way to cut down on school reading costs.

Find out more about Pembrokeshire Libraries

Frequently Asked Questions

Not usually. Pembrokeshire Council checks eligibility regularly, so you don’t need to reapply every year unless your circumstances change, you change your surname, or you have a new child starting school who hasn’t been applied for before.

Yes, if you’re on a qualifying benefit. The universal meal is automatic for all primary pupils, but Eligible Free School Meals (eFSM) is a separate application. Getting eFSM registered also means your child’s school receives extra Welsh Government funding through the Pupil Premium Grant, and it unlocks the School Essentials Grant for help with uniform, kit and equipment.

Pembrokeshire Council checks your details against national systems, which usually takes up to 5 working days. If it takes longer, they’ll let you know. If you’re eligible, your child’s school will be told within one week, and you’ll be considered for the School Essentials Grant within two weeks of your application being received.

The parent or carer who is in receipt of a qualifying benefit applies. If your child has dual residency, contact the school transport team at school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk for guidance on transport eligibility too.

Yes, absolutely. Even if your child brings a packed lunch, registering them means their school receives extra funding from the Welsh Government (the Pupil Premium Grant). It costs you nothing and genuinely helps the school.

Yes. Pembrokeshire Council encourages you to apply even if you’re unsure, as they’ll check your eligibility against national systems for you. It takes just a few minutes online and there’s nothing to lose by trying.

Use the Pembrokeshire school transport eligibility checker to search your address and see which catchment schools apply. If you have a more complex situation (dual residency, Additional Learning Needs, or a school outside Pembrokeshire) contact the Integrated Transport Unit at school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

Apply online and Pembrokeshire Council will check for you. You can also check eligibility on GOV.WALES before applying.

Not sure whether you qualify for the School Essentials Grant or free meals? Read our full Wales School Essentials Eligibility Guide to check the income thresholds before you apply.

For more help with school costs in general, visit our Help With School Costs guide. You might also want to check our Pembrokeshire Term Dates to plan ahead, or our guide on applying for a school place in Pembrokeshire.

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