Free School Meals and Uniform/Physical Education Allowances for School Year 2024/25

Please see below the most recent update from EA

The online application process via EA Connect is now open so all parents/carers should therefore be encouraged to apply on EA Connect before 26 July to ensure arrangements are in place for the new school year beginning in September 2024. Timely applications will also help staff and schools as we work towards the Census date of 11 October 2024.

Special Diet
In previous years, parents/carers whose child had a Statement of Special Educational Needs (Stage 3) and required a special diet and who did not qualify for Free School Meals under the standard financial eligibility criteria, were required to apply for Free School Meals via a paper application form.
The EA Free School Meals service also required medical evidence from a medical professional that a special diet was required.
We have listened to the feedback received from parents/carers, medical professionals and schools in relation to the difficulties around this process and for the 2024/25 school year, parents/carers can now apply for support online via the EA Connect portal where they will be directed to the relevant online application for Free School Meals under the Special Diet criterion.
This applies to both new and existing claimants. Evidence of a medically required special diet provided by a medical professional is no longer required, however, parents/carers are required to make a declaration to confirm under which medical requirement a special diet is required.

Free School Meals / Uniform Allowance Helpdesk
The Free Schools Meals and Uniform Allowance Helpdesk is available to assist parents and guardians who may have any queries. The Helpdesk operates Monday – Friday from 9am to 4pm and can be contacted via email:mealsanduniform@eani.org.uk.

The telephone number for all enquiries is 028 9041 8044. Please be aware that this number receives a high volume of queries during peak periods.
Further information including eligibility criteria for the 2024/25 school year and a list of Frequently Asked Questions to assist with any parental queries can be accessed by visiting our website.