Education Minister has announced an interim change
to the eligibility criteria for families applying for free school
meals and uniform grants.
The annual net earnings threshold that applies to free school
meals and uniform grants applicants who are in receipt of
Universal Credit has been raised from £14,000 to £15,000.
This interim change aims to broadly maintain the number of pupils
entitled to these supports in the 2024/25 academic year. This
takes account of wage inflation and the ongoing transition of
some legacy benefits claimants to Universal Credit.
The increased threshold will take effect from when the Education
Authority (EA) opens its application portal in June 2024 for
applications and is an interim rise pending completion of the
ongoing review of the eligibility criteria for free school meals
and uniform grants.
Education Minister said: “I'm pleased to
announce this interim change in the eligibility criteria for free
school meals and uniform grants so that families receiving
Universal Credit with net annual household earnings of up to
£15,000 can now access these valuable supports.
“Free school meals and uniform grants are important
supports for low-income families. This change aims to broadly
maintain the number of school children able to access these
supports in the 2024/25 academic year.
“This interim change is pending the completion of my
Department's review of the eligibility criteria for free school
meals and uniform grants which I plan to consult on later in the
year.”
Information on free school meals and uniform grants and how to
apply is available on the EA website(external link opens
in a new window / tab).
Notes to editors:
- Additional information on the Move to Universal Credit is
available on the nidirect website(external link
opens in a new window / tab).
