Free school meals

Child's school name does not appear

If your child's school name does not appear, it is because they do not use our Free School Meals service. You should contact the school directly to find out their process.

'Not eligible' application result

If your application is 'not eligible', you could still fit the criteria.

Check your application again to make sure you have correctly entered your:

• national insurance number
• child's date of birth
• address.

If you are new to receiving a benefit, our system might not have your current circumstances so we will need to investigate your application further.

If you think you should be eligible email freeschoolmeals@kent.gov.uk with:

• your child's date of birth
• application reference number
• any evidence of your benefits.

Younger siblings are not eligible

If your eldest child receives free school meals and your youngest child does not, this is due to your eligibility at the time of the new application based on your current circumstances.

Your younger child does not get free school meals just because an older sibling does. If your circumstances change so you become eligible, then please apply again.

Children who currently get free school meals will continue to receive these until March 2025, even if they are no longer eligible. This will extend to the end of their primary school education if they are in primary school, or their secondary school education if they are in secondary school. For example, if they are in year 5 in March 2025 they will continue to get free school meals until the end of year 6, even if your circumstances change.

Any new child found to be eligible until March 2025 will get the benefit protections.

Support to complete your application

If you need help to complete the form contact:

• your child’s school
• Citizens Advice
• a local food bank.

Personal details

If your personal details have changed you need to let your child's school know.

Financial situation

If your financial situation changes your child will continue to receive free school meals as they are covered under transitional protection. You do not need to do anything.

Since 1 April 2018, transitional protections were put in place for children who might otherwise have lost free school meals following the update to eligibility criteria.

Transitional protections support any pupil who:

• is in receipt of free school meals before 1 April 2018. They will continue to receive free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period. This applies even if they no longer meet the eligibility criteria during that time.
• becomes eligible for free school meals after 1 April 2018. They will continue to receive free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period. This applies even if they no longer meet the eligibility criteria during the rollout period.

If don't want your child to receive free school meals any longer, please email freeschoolmeals@kent.gov.uk.

Moving from primary to secondary

You do not need to re-apply when your child is moving from primary to secondary school. Your child’s previous school should send confirmation to the new school to tell them your child is already receiving free school meals.

Moving home in the summer holidays

If you move home before the summer holidays make sure you inform your school.

Moving into Kent

If your child already receives free school meals before moving into Kent, you do not need to apply. Your child’s previous school will send confirmation to the new school to tell them your child is already receiving free school meals.

If you have any issues relating to your free school meals voucher, you must contact your child’s school directly.

For anything else contact us:

• call 0330 124 9995 (8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday)
• email freeschoolmeals@kent.gov.uk.