Cost of Living Support
The cost of living has increased dramatically in recent years with items such as food and energy bills rising much faster than average household incomes. We recognise that school can be costly with items such as uniform and equipment requirements, placing a burden on families.
In this section you will find links that provide financial support, advice and guidance on the cost of living and how you can access financial support for you and your child.
Here are some of the organisations who may be able to help
- School Essentials Grant - The Welsh Government School Essentials Grant helps to fund a child’s school uniform and equipment, plus items for outside school activities, where families are on low incomes. The scheme for the 2024/25 academic year opened on 1 July 2024 and will close on 31 May 2025.
The grant provides assistance to families on low incomes for the purchase of:
- School uniform including coats and shoes
- School sports kit including footwear
- Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to, scouts; guides; cadets; martial arts; sports; performing arts or dance
- Equipment e.g. school bags and stationary
- Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology
- Laptops or tablets
- Equipment for out of school hour’s trips such as outdoor learning e.g. waterproofs.
Families with children in reception to year 11 on lower incomes and get certain benefits can apply for:
£125 per learner and extra funding for your school
£200 for learners entering year 7 (to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school) and extra funding for your school
Parents and carers can claim once per child per school year.
Free School Meals If you are the parent or guardian of a child in school, they may be eligible for free school meals. This information who receives free school meals is private.
You may be eligible if you are a parent or guardian of a child in school, and you receive one of these benefits:
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (Income-related)
Child Tax Credit (you are not eligible if you also receive Working Tax Credit)
Pension Credit
Help under Immigration and Asylum Seekers Act 1999
Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit, your household earnings must be less than £7,400 a year after tax. This does not include any income from benefits.
- Monmouthshire County Council provides a helpline service for adults (01633 644644) and a walk in service at the local community hub (Caldicot Library). They provide debt assistance and advice to help support families to get back on their feet which can be accessed here. There are also a number of local support services such as the Caldicot Food Bank and the Caldicot Community Fridge, which can be found here.
- Citizens Advice based in Caldicot (5A Church Road) can provide support and advice on financial issues such as debt, benefits and housing support.
- Education Maintenance Allowance Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is an incentive allowance paid to eligible young people (16 – 18 year olds) who stay on at Caldicot School 6th form after school leaving age, attend regularly and achieve their targeted learning goals. Use the link to apply online.
Please also keep an eye out for our ‘School Uniform Shop’. Voluntary donations starting from £2 can be made to purchase pre-loved uniform.