Free school meals and uniform grants - How to find out if you are eligible
Parents should apply before the last Friday in July to guarantee the support is in place for the start of the new school term in September
The school holidays are in full swing but for parents being organised for September is always important.
With the cost-of-living crisis making it more difficult to afford everything your child needs for school, you can find out if you’re entitled to free school meals and help with uniform costs
More than 93,000 children and young people across Northern Ireland are currently receiving a free school meal. In most of those cases, parents will also be entitled to a grant towards the cost of their child’s uniform.
Although applications for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance can be made all through the year, the Education Authority (EA) is advising parents to apply before the last Friday in July to guarantee the support is in place for the start of the new school term in September.
Under the eligibility criteria, parents and carers who receive any of the following are encouraged to apply for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance through the EA’s online portal, EA Connect.
• Income Support.
• Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
• Universal Credit and have net household earnings not exceeding £15,390 per year.
Pupils who have a statement of SEN and are designated to need a special diet would also be entitled to free school meals.
In addition, Asylum Seekers supported by the Home Office Asylum Support Assessment Team (ASAT) can apply.
Information on the supporting documentation needed when making an application can be found on the EA website - where there are a selection of resources including step-by-step video guides to using EA Connect.
The current amounts for uniform grants are:
• £42.90 for primary school pupils born on or before 1 July 2021
• £61.20 for secondary school pupils under 15 on 1 August 2025
• £67.20 for secondary school pupils aged 15 and over on 1 August 2025
An additional payment of £26.40 is available for secondary school pupils to help with the cost of PE kits, and for pupils at Regional Colleges who have not reached the age of 18 on or before 31 July where PE is part of their course and who are not in receipt of financial support which includes clothing. There is no uniform grant available for nursery pupils.
The EA’s Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance Helpdesk is open from Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm, and can be contacted by phone on 028 9047 0233 or email mealsanduniform@eani.org.uk.
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