Free School Meals and Uniform Grants – Applications now open

Free School Meals and Uniform Grants can be applied for at any time throughout the school year, however, to ensure that the support is in place for the first day of the academic year applications should be made before the 25 July 2025.

Applications made after this date will still be accepted, but the support may not be in place to start on the child’s first day of the school year.

How to apply

To be eligible for free school meals and a uniform grant, households need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit and have annual net earnings not exceeding £15,000.

Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (Stage 3) who require a medically prescribed special diet may be eligible for Free School Meals even if their parent/carer is not in receipt of a qualifying benefit or they are in receipt of Universal Credit but are above the earnings threshold.

For more information on Free School Meals and the Uniform Grant go to www.eani.org.uk/parents/pupil-applications-and-grants/free-school-meals-uniform-grants

Further information

To find out if your family could be entitled to free school meals or a uniform grant – or other financial support – call the Family Benefits Advice Service on 028 9267 8200 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org.