Families who are entitled to extra support with school meals and uniforms can now apply for it online.
Parents, guardians and carers have previously only been able to apply for such support using paper application forms.
But the option to apply online has been made available to improve access for families looking to gain extra support.
It will continue to be available on request for applicants who do not have digital access, but however families do apply, they are urged to so soon.
Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen said: “The Education Authority (EA) has sought to improve services for families by making it easier for them to apply for this important service.
“I would encourage all parents and guardians of children eligible to Free School Meals to apply now to the EA for the new school academic year.
“This service provides vital support for low-income families and ensures that children have access to a nutritious meal when at school as well as helping with the costs of school uniforms.
“I recognise not everyone has digital access so paper application forms will continue to be available on request from the EA and support is also available through its helpdesk.”
Who is eligible for this extra support?
Parents or guardian can apply if their child is in full-time education and if they are in receipt of one of the following benefits including income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, guarantee element of state pension credit, child tax credit or working tax credit with an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less, or universal credit and have net household earnings not exceeding £14,000 per year.
The extra support is also available to the children of parents or guardians who are an Asylum Seeker supported by the Home Office Asylum Support Assessment Team, or if their child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to require a special diet.
Students can also apply for extra support if the course they are studying is a full-time course, and they are receiving benefit in their own name.
Applications can be made online at www.eani.org.uk/fsm . Parents wishing to request a paper application or seeking help with an online application should contact the EA helpdesk on 028 9041 8044, Monday - Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
For the current school year, applications will continue to be processed using paper application forms and need to be with the EA by Wednesday, June 30.
