School Essentials Grant

We’re delighted to announce the GroceryAid School Essentials Grant, supported by The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust designed to help people currently working in grocery.

GroceryAid supports people who work or have worked in grocery. This includes anyone who works for a supermarket, wholesaler, manufacturer, supplier, convenience store, independent grocer, petrol forecourt store or service provider to the grocery industry. We also support businesses in the foodservice wholesale sector and Vape stores/manufacturers. Grocery is considered fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sold in supermarkets or grocery stores.

Eligible applicants may receive £150 per school-age child, for up to three children per household.

• How do I apply?

  Applications will open on 9am Tuesday 3rd June 2025 and close at 5pm on Thursday 5^th June.

  Although the application form will remain open for three days, this is a limited £1 million fund. Successful applicants will be randomly selected from those who meet the criteria and have submitted all required information.

  This approach ensures fairness for shift workers, providing ample time to gather and submit the necessary documents to maximise the chances of selection.

• Who is eligible for the grant?

  To apply for a GroceryAid School Essentials Grant, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • You’ve been working for a grocery employer for at least six months
  • You’re already receiving Universal Credit / Child Tax Credit for school-age children (aged 4-18 as of 31st August 2025)
  • You have not received any other GroceryAid Grant after 31st March 2025
  • Your household savings/balances are less than £4,000

• What do I need to apply?

  On the application form you will need to be ready to upload copies of:

  • A current payslip (dated April or May 2025  that clearly shows your name, employers name and national insurance (NI) number or a current bank statement (April or May 2025) that clearly shows your name, address, date and your grocery employer salary crediting
  • Your current Universal Credit statement from April/May showing the payment amount, full breakdown (including child element) and your name and address
  • If you receive Child Tax Credit then you can provide a pdf of your current bank statement showing your Child Tax Credit entry or your Child Tax Credit statement showing your name and address from Spring 2025

  The application form is quick to complete but the most common reason for rejection is that the correct information has not been uploaded so make sure you upload everything we need so you don’t miss out.

  Click here for our FAQ and examples of the documents you will need to have ready.

• Has something changed recently in your household?

  You may be eligible for a higher grant award by applying for a Financial Grant on the GroceryAid website if you can evidence:

  • A significant unexpected drop in household income that means you cannot meet your priority bills
  • A traumatic event is causing a financial crisis
  • Someone in your household has a long-term disability or illness
  • You’re currently homeless or at risk of homelessness
  • You need financial help if you have left an abusive relationship or when starting again after a relationship breakdown

This year we are working with our trusted partner Charis to manage and process your grant application.

See some frequently asked questions here.

Please note you can only apply for one grant. If you apply for a School Essentials Grants and then apply for either a Cost of Living or Financial Grant then your applications will be deleted.

If you need to contact us about your School Essentials Grant application, you can email schoolsgrant@charisgrants.com

Due to high demand, we will not be able to discuss your application by phone.