Your child must attend a maintained school (most schools in Kent are maintained schools) or receive alternative education approved by Kent County Council. Children attending private or independent schools can't get free school meals.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household Income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) - Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

If your child is eligible for free school meals with an active application on the 31 March 2018, they will remain eligible until 31 March 2022.

Kent County Council may ask for proof of benefit after you apply.