Free School Meals

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the law states a child is eligible for free school lunches if their parent or guardian:

Receives Universal Credit and your net earnings aren’t over £14,000 a year

Receives Income Support

Receives income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Receives income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Gets support under the Immigration and Asylum Act

Gets Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less

Gets Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ – the payment someone may receive for four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Receives the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

Your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to need a special diet, or they board at a special school

• Children who receive Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding £14,000 a year, Income Support, income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in their own right qualify as well.

  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.