The Education Authority (EA) is pushing for parents to apply for free school meals and uniform grants.

Parents and carers are requested to submit applications by July 26 to ensure support for the upcoming school year.

The effort is especially aimed at reaching those who have yet to apply.

The EA wants to ensure that all those entitled are aware that making an application is now quicker and easier.

Through the EA's new multi-purpose portal called EA Connect, families can apply for Free School Meals and Uniform Grants, School Admissions, SEN Annual Reviews, and transport assistance simultaneously.

More details can be found on the EA website www.eani.org.uk/fsm.

By the end of June this year, EA Connect has received more than 22,000 applications for Free School Meals and Uniform Grants, doubling the applications from last year.

More than 90 percent who used EA Connect rated their experience as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

Chris Scott, head of Pupil Admissions and Financial Support Service at EA and former school principal, said it was important for families to access the support they needed quickly and simply.

In a special platform piece for this week’s Impartial Reporter, he said: “Having a nutritious school meal each day will help pupils make the most of their educational experience and be the best they can be inside and outside the classroom, which is EA’s vision for every child and young person we serve.

“We are committed to making the Free School Meals and Uniform Grant application process as straightforward as possible for parents and the feedback from users of EA Connect has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I would encourage all eligible families to submit their applications via EA Connect by 26 July to make sure they have the support they need in place for the start of the new school year, although applications will remain open beyond that date.”