GroceryAid School Essentials Grant 2024

[Strawbsss]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone applied for the GroceryAid School Essentials Grant this year for £150 per school age child towards school uniform?

If so, have you heard back yet?

I've been awarded the last 3 years and hate to admit, I do rely on it to help with school uniform costs so I'm worried we won't be awarded this year as they have changed their application process! Xx

First year applying for 1 child and didn’t get it 😞

Got the email aswell wasn't successful! 3 children here aswell 2 high school uniforms and primary school. Such a massive cost even a little bit of it would have been so helpful 🙁

Just recieved the Email aswel! 1st year applying😔

Happy for everybody who was succsessful.
Defo think they need to change the way its paid out though. £150 per child....so some people have got upto £450 and others none. Maybe £50 per child is better and more people can be helped out! £50 towards uniform is better than nothing....id appreciate it thats forsure and im sure many others would be greatful of a little something than nothing at all.

I’m so sorry for those of you who weren’t selected. I hope you will be prioritised next year x

I've fed this back to them and also suggested that they lower the amount so more people can be helped. Maybe next year the system will be better.

My partner also had the unsuccessful email. 2 children, our first year applying too.

I looked online and it said its closed and all grants paid unsuccessful applicants have been notified but I've not heard any thing 1st time I've applied this year and could really use it as I have 2 going to school this year

I work for sainsburys haven't heard anything and have been checking everyday ir would be nice to know either way

I also haven't had a email from them apart from the one we're I applying, been checking but nothing has come though, I guess will find out Friday

Just letting people no of you were unsuccessful like I was then applie for there other grants, I did last week when I had the email to say I was not picked, and today I received £3k carers grant from them, me and my husband both work but as we have children with additional needs we got this, so quite glad I didn’t get the uniform grant now or i would never of applied plus you can only have one grant of them in a 12 month period so wouldn’t of been eligible either. Every cloud an all

Wow, I applied for the carers grant about 2 weeks ago. Waiting to hear back myself. So pleased for you xx

@SENDMUMMY85 I've just had a call from a welfare officer asking me questions about my caring etc... is there anyway I can message you privately to chat about this x

Yes hun xx

To update all - I have also been awarded £2.5K from GroceryAid.
Stunned and so thankful x

Oh wow thats amazing for you both!!

@Strawbsss

That's such good news for you and what a financial relief !

I happened upon your thread by chance and followed it tho I do not have young children.

I do work in a supermarket, been here for 3.5 years and I was unaware that Grocery Aid even existed !
I read every notice board etc in the staff room and other places and have seen no mention of it.
(I was in a different supermarket for 8 years before that, as yes i would have applied if I had known about it - yet again never seen any info on it, but it was M&S so guess M&S does not count ? tho I was in the food hall.)

I am going to ask a manager about it as she should know, as i think I have a colleague that may wish to apply for it next year and I think there should at least be a poster or something somewhere - maybe there is and I was / am not as observant as I think.

I am so pleased your thread has a happy ending for you in the end !

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

They have a few different grants you can try and apply for! The one I applied for was called a Carers Grant but they have Cost of Living and a few others too! So worth applying.

M&S food hall would definitely count. Xx

Honestly I'm in shock. Thank you.x

Thank you.

Shame I didn't know about it when dd was young enough for school uniform.
as i would have been eligible and would have applied.

Fortunately I don't need to apply for anything just now, but as I say I do have a younger colleague with a change of circumstances and she may very well apply re school uniform next year.

Can you give me an idea of what they ask on the call please?. My husbands got a call next week. Would appreciate any advice or help.

@Starryleo89

I was asked about each of my children's needs. Nothing too intrusive. Asked if I had any debts etc.

I think if you get the call, it's a great sign you're getting something xx

Are we all ready to go again this year, ladies?

When do they open xx

That we are. Do we know what time it opens again?

Does anyone know if there working same system as last year? Feel like there wasn't many with 3 children who were successful, so thinking of just applying for 1.