Quick facts
- Universal Credit limit
- £15,900 net household earnings a year
- Monthly check
- £1,325 take-home × 12
- Uniform, primary
- £42.90
- Uniform, secondary under 15
- £87.60
- Uniform, secondary 15+
- £93.60
- Backdated?
- No, apply every school year
Who qualifies
Parents or guardians of a child in full-time education who get one of these:
- Universal Credit, with net household earnings of £15,900 a year or less
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Asylum seekers supported by the Home Office can also apply, and so can children with a statement of special educational needs who need a special diet.
How the £15,900 is checked: "Free School Meals and Uniform staff will use the household take home pay on a claimant’s most recent, monthly Universal Credit Claimant Statement x 12." That is £1,325 a month. If your pay varies and one month is high, you can apply again after a lower statement.
Uniform grant rates
- Primary school pupils: £42.90
- Secondary and special school pupils under 15 on 1 August 2026: £87.60 (£61.20 uniform and £26.40 PE)
- Secondary and special school pupils 15 or over on 1 August 2026: £93.60 (£67.20 uniform and £26.40 PE)
- FE college students with PE on their course: £26.40 for PE only
Payments are made from July onwards, into your bank account.
Who is left out
"Children attending part-time nursery school/nursery unit/reception class/playgroup are not eligible for free school meals." Full-time nursery can qualify.
"A uniform allowance is not paid for students at FE Colleges." PE kit is the exception, if PE is part of the course.
Children for whom a foster care or kinship allowance is paid are not eligible.
How to apply
Apply online through EA Connect, as the person named on the benefit letter or Universal Credit statement. Include every child, including over-16s whose plans are not settled yet.
On Universal Credit, upload all pages of your latest Claimant Statement. On ESA or Pension Credit, upload a Proof of Benefit letter from this month or last.
Decisions take up to 4 weeks, or 5 in the busy season. Help: 028 9047 0233 or mealsanduniform@eani.org.uk.
Common questions
Who gets free school meals in Northern Ireland?
Children in full-time education whose parent gets Universal Credit with net household earnings of £15,900 a year or less, income-related ESA or the guarantee element of Pension Credit.
How much is the school uniform grant in Northern Ireland?
£42.90 for primary pupils, £87.60 for secondary pupils under 15 and £93.60 for secondary pupils 15 or over, including £26.40 for PE.
Can free school meals be backdated in Northern Ireland?
No. There are no back payments, and you must apply in each school year.
How is my Universal Credit income checked?
The take-home pay on your most recent monthly Claimant Statement is multiplied by 12. The limit works out at £1,325 a month.
Do nursery children get free school meals?
Full-time nursery, yes. Part-time nursery, reception or playgroup, no.
How long does it take?
The Education Authority aims to decide within 4 weeks, up to 5 weeks at peak times.
- £1,325 — £15,900 a year ÷ 12 = £1,325 a month of take-home pay. The Education Authority writes it as £1325.