Free school meals, school uniform and PE clothing allowance

Who is entitled? For the 2013-2014 school year school meals, school uniform and PE clothing allowances can be awarded to those in receipt of one of the following benefits and if your child/children attend full-time education:

Income Support or Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance or Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, or if a pupil claims Income Support in their own name; or if you receive the Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit; or you are an Asylum Seeker supported by The Home Office National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

You may also receive help if you receive Child Tax Credit and are not receiving Working Tax Credit and have an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less, or

you receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less. This criteria only applies to parents/guardians of pupils who attend full-time nursery schools born on or after July 2, 2009 and pupils who attend primary or special education schools born on or after July 2, 2002.

Free School Meals can also be awarded if your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to require a special diet.

The Clothing Scheme does not apply to pupils in attendance at Nursery School, Nursery Unit or Reception Class or those pupils qualifying for Free School Meals under the ‘Special Diet’ criteria.

What could you save? Many low income families are unaware of their entitlements or indeed the value of claiming these. If entitled, parents/guardians can save annually in excess of £400 per child by up taking Free School Meals and in addition can claim, as applicable, an allowance from £22.00 to £78.00 per child towards the purchase of a school uniform and/or physical education clothing.

When can you apply? Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply now for Free School Meals/School Uniform and/or Physical Education Clothing Allowance for the 2013-2014 school year commencing September 2013. Applicants who become eligible during the school year can submit an application form to the Board at that time.

Mairéad Kerr, Services Improvement Manager and Co-ordinator within the WELB’s Administration and Management Division, said: “Given the current economic climate and the hardship that many families may face, the WELB would encourage parents/guardians to apply for their entitlement.”

How do you apply? Only one application form needs to be completed which can be obtained by contacting the WELB’s Meals and Uniform Section on telephone 028 8241 1496 or by downloading a form from the Board’s website www.welbni.org.

Information and assistance is available from Board staff by telephone, by emailing your queries to mailto:[email protected] or [email protected] or by writing to the Meals and Uniform Section, WELB HQ, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone BT79 0AW.