School meal stock image(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)More families in Northern Ireland will be eligible to receive free school meals and the school uniform grant, as the income threshold is set to rise.
From the 2025/26 academic year, the threshold for families in receipt of Universal Credit, applying for free school meals and uniform grants, will rise from £15,000 to £15,390. The announcement follows the Department of Education’s review of the eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants.
The Minister has also committed to linking future threshold increases to the rate of inflation, to ensure support continues to keep pace with the cost of living.
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Announcing the threshold increase, Education Minister Paul Givan said: “Free school meals and uniform grants are essential supports for many families, helping to ease the financial pressures that they face.
“I have taken the decision to raise the income threshold after listening carefully to the views shared during the recent public consultation and considering the wider financial challenges facing households.
“This increase, which raises the threshold in line with inflation, will ensure families in need can access help with school meals. I have also committed to linking future increases to the rate of consumer price inflation, so that this support keeps pace with the cost of living and continues to reach those most in need.
“I would encourage families to check their eligibility against the criteria on the Education Authority website and to apply for free school meals and uniform grants as soon as possible.”
The Minister continued: “In concluding this review, I gave careful consideration to all the views expressed during the public consultation. I want to thank the many individuals, organisations, and stakeholders who took the time to engage and share their perspectives.
“While I would have welcomed the opportunity to introduce universal free school meal provision, the current budgetary constraints facing both my Department and the wider Executive mean this is not achievable in the short term.”
It comes after the UK Government announced changes that will see half-a-million more children in England become eligible for free school meals. Any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be able to claim free school meals from September 2026.
When asked about this in relation to Northern Ireland, Minister Givan last month said he intended to make a change to free school meals entitlement “in the near future”.
Information on free school meals and uniform grants and how to apply is available on the EA website by clicking here.
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