Free School meals and uniform allowance

Free School Meals/School Uniform/Physical Education Uniform Allowance 2022-23

EA HAVE ASKED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO BE SHARED WITH PARENTS

I would like to provide you with an update on the 2022/23 application process for Free School
Meals and School Uniform/Physical Education Clothing Allowance.
The Education Authority (EA) will be issuing communications on the EA website and social media
channels to inform parents/guardians of the process for the coming year. We continue to seek
your support to promote awareness of Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance, and to
encourage all potential applicants to apply for the support available, before 31 July to ensure all is
in place for the new school year in September 2022.

Current Eligible Families and New Applicants

Parents/guardians who are currently in receipt of support for the 2021/22 school year will receive
a letter highlighting the need to apply for the 2022/23 school year and the process to do so. All
parents/guardians (including new applicants) will be able to apply online from week commencing
6 June 2022 via the EA website.

It is important for all applicants to read and understand what supporting documentation is
required for their application. Information on this can be found on the EA website here.

Special Diet
Parents/Guardians whose child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs (Stage 5) and
requires a special diet should contact the Meals and Uniform Section for a paper application form
if they wish to apply under the special diet criterion.

Pupils Eligible for Free School Meals
The first full list of pupils eligible for free school meals will be sent to you at the end of August
2022 via AnyComms (or by post/email to schools and colleges who do not use SIMS). Weekly
updates will be sent each Friday and further full lists sent on the following Monday. Can you
please check the lists and inform the EA Meals and Uniform Section immediately if a
pupil/student has not enrolled for the 2022/23 school year or is no longer in attendance during
the year.

Free School Meals / Uniform Allowance Helpdesk
The Free Schools Meals and Uniform Allowance Helpdesk is operated by staff across the EA Free
School Meals/Uniform Allowance service.

It is available to assist parents and guardians who may have any queries. The Helpdesk operates
Monday – Friday from 9am to 4.30pm and can be contacted via email:
mealsanduniform@eani.org.uk. The telephone number which should be used for all enquiries is
028 9041 8044.