Application support

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.

For anything else contact us: