Families who need to make a fresh application for the Free School Meal and Uniform Grant for the new school year this September are being urged to apply now.
The deadline for applications is 31st July to ensure your application is processed in time for 1st September.
The Education Authority (EA) says it is experiencing a high volume of activity with Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance applications.
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A spokesperson for the EA added: "You have until the end of July 2022 to apply with correct documentation to ensure your application can be processed before the start of the new school year.
"Ensure you have all the information ready which you need to apply. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."
The process has also changed for 2022/23 and you are now required to register and create an account before applying.
The application must be made by the person receiving benefits who is named on the Proof of Benefit Letter/Tax Credits Award Notice/Universal Credit Payments Breakdown.
Please include in your application all children for whom you have parental responsibility and who will be attending full time at school or Regional/FE College.
Eligibility
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can apply if your son or daughter is in full-time education and if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:-
- Income Support;
- Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance;
- Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit;
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less;
- Universal credit and have net household earnings not exceeding £14,000 per year.
Or:-
- if you are an Asylum Seeker supported by the Home Office Asylum Support Assessment Team (ASAT); or
- if your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to require a special diet.
Student(s) can apply:
- if the course you are studying is a full-time course, and
- you are receiving benefit in your own name.
Last month, the Department of Education announced that the NI school uniform grant will be increased by 20% to help support low income families.
The grant is designed to assist families in need with a contribution towards the cost of purchasing school uniforms.
The allowance helps towards the cost of specific items of school uniforms and clothing for PE for pupils at primary, post-primary and day pupils at special schools.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has also funded free school meals for pupils throughout the summer.
It runs until August 31 and provides financial assistance to families whose children are entitled to a free school meal during term time and eligible at the end of June 2022 - families are receiving £13.50 per week for each entitled child.
You can check your eligibility and apply for September 2022 at www.eani.org.uk
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