A school uniform should be the least of a parent’s worries. That’s why UNISON’s very own charity, There for You, gives School Uniform Grants to members who need a helping hand in getting their kids kitted out for the new term.
This year, the grant will open on 29 May 2024 for 750 applications at 8.30 am and again for another 750 applications at 5 pm. You will not be able to apply before these times.
Applications must be made online when the grant goes live via the link below: https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/school-uniform-grant-2/
High demand is anticipated for these grants and due to limited funding, UNISON Welfare cannot accept more applications.
Please read the information below to check if you are eligible for the grant and for further details about what information you need to apply.
If you cannot complete the application due to an accessibility need, please email: sug@unison.co.uk or call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
School Uniform Grant 2024 Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a UNISON member and have paid at least four weeks’ subscriptions as of 29 May 2024. Subscriptions must be up to date.
- Not have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 29 November
- 2023, excluding the Energy Support Fund or Winter Fuel Grant.
- Have savings (including the total rolling balance on current accounts) below £1,000 to qualify.
- Be financially responsible for school-aged child(ren) and receiving Child Benefit for them**.By school-aged, we mean children aged between 4 and 17 years old, who will be returning to school in the autumn.
And EITHER:
Be on a low income, meaning a net household income* of no more than £26,000/year (£2,166.67/month)
OR:
Be in receipt of means-tested benefits. This includes:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child and/or Working Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Means-tested Jobseekers Allowance
- Means-tested Employment Support Allowance
- Income Support
* Net household income includes your monthly take-home pay from work (plus your partner’s, if you have one), any income from child maintenance payments, any income from student finance loans or bursaries, pensions (excluding Pension Credit) and any income from people living with you (e.g. adult children or lodgers).
** Where members either have no recourse to public funds and their household income is above £26,000/year or have no recourse to public funds and don’t receive Child Benefit; an assessment will be undertaken to see whether they would be eligible for benefits if they did have recourse to public funds.
What can I get help with?
UNISON Welfare can help with a one-off, non-repayable grant of £75 per school-aged child which will be paid out as a voucher. These vouchers can be used at at several high street and online retailers. The vouchers cannot be used at independent retailers. UNISON wants to make this fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty. There is a limited amount in the School Uniform Grant fund, and we can only accept 1,500 applications.
What if I don’t know my membership number?
UNISON Welfare cannot accept applications without a membership number. This can often be found at the bottom of any emails you have received from UNISON. Alternatively, please get in touch with UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
How will you contact me?
Acknowledgement
Successful online submissions will receive an automated message confirming your application has been received. If this doesn’t show in your ‘inbox’, please check your ‘junk/spam’ folders.
Processing time
You should not expect to receive an immediate decision as it could take up to 12 weeks before you hear anything. If further evidence is required to support your application, UNISON Welfare will be in touch via email to request this. Please do not send chasing emails as they will be unable to respond.
If I have recently received a grant, can I apply?
If you have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 29 November 2023, excluding the Energy Support Fund or Winter Fuel Grant, you will not be eligible to apply for a School Uniform Grant.
How do I apply?
All applications should be made online. Make sure you have your membership number on hand.
If you cannot complete the application online due to work, personal or other commitments; we suggest you ask a friend or family member to help you apply online. If you cannot complete the application online due to a disability access need; please get in touch with UNISON Welfare on 29 May 2024; either by email at sug@unison.co.uk or by calling UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
The grant will open on 29 May 2024 for 750 applications at 8.30 am and 750 applications at 5 pm.
Applications must be made online when the grant goes live via the link below: https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/school-uniform-grant-2/
Any questions?
Contact UNISON Welfare via email: sug@unison.co.uk
