Martin Lewis shares school uniform cash help for families across West Midlands and Shropshire
Martin Lewis is advising people to check if they can get up to £200 in support for school uniforms from their local council, as part of a government scheme to help families with the cost of education
Families across the West Midlands could still get help with the cost of school uniforms, with support worth up to £75 available in Wolverhampton and vouchers of up to £25 offered in Sandwell.
The warning comes as families face the cost of a new school year and new rules come into force limiting the number of branded uniform items schools can require parents to buy.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has highlighted school uniform support available across the UK, with councils in England able to decide whether they offer help and how much families can receive.
The support varies from one area to another, meaning families could miss out if they do not check what is available from their local authority.
Sandwell
Parents in Sandwell could qualify for a £20 voucher for children starting Reception or £25 for pupils in Years 7 to 11.
The scheme is open to families who meet the council's eligibility rules, including some households receiving qualifying benefits.
For Universal Credit claimants, Sandwell says household net earned income must be below £616 a month under its current criteria.
However, the council says its eligibility rules are changing from September 2026, so families should check the latest information before applying.
Sandwell Council's school clothing assistance scheme is available online.
Wolverhampton
Families in Wolverhampton can get up to £75 towards school uniform costs, but the support works differently from a standard council grant.
The scheme is run with Wolverhampton City Credit Union.
Children who open an account can have their savings matched pound-for-pound, up to a maximum of £75.
The council says the scheme is designed to help families with uniform costs while also encouraging children to develop saving habits.
The council does not provide a traditional school uniform grant.
Shropshire
Shropshire has also offered £50 towards school uniform costs, although applications for this year's scheme have now closed.
The support is subject to eligibility and funding limits.
For information on your council visit here.
New school uniform rules
There is another change parents need to know about this September.
From 1 September 2026, schools in England should not require parents to buy more than three branded uniform items.
Secondary and middle schools can require four if a tie counts as one of those items.
Schools should also make second-hand uniform available and publish information on how parents can access it.
The Department for Education says uniform costs should not be a barrier to children attending school.
Who could qualify for help?
Eligibility depends on the council, but support is often linked to means-tested free school meals or certain benefits.
Families should check their local council's rules rather than assume they are not eligible.
In Sandwell, the council's current school clothing assistance is aimed at eligible families with children entering Reception or Years 7 to 11.
Wolverhampton's scheme is open through its credit union partnership rather than as a standard council uniform grant.
For families struggling with uniform costs, the Government also advises contacting their child's school to ask what support is available.
With school costs rising, parents across the West Midlands are being urged to check what help they can claim before buying a new uniform.