To qualify for free school meals at a maintained school in the Thurrock area, the parent/guardian of the child/children must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
If you are seeking asylum then the Application Registration Card or Form SAL 1 or SAL 2 from The Asylum & Immigration Service can be used to prove this.
Only the above situations entitle children to free meals in accordance with Government legislation.
All Applications are verified through the Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service (ECS). No paper proof of benefit will be required, unless specifically requested by the Awards and Benefits Section at Thurrock Council. If you do not supply evidence when requested, we may not be able to process your application.
If your children attend school outside of Thurrock you must apply to the borough where your children are educated. If you live outside Thurrock but your children are educated in the borough your should apply to us.
If your child is eligible we will send you a letter confirming entitlement to free school meals. The school will then arrange for meals to be provided. Pupils excluded from school and being educated 'elsewhere' are also eligible for free school meals, if their family satisfies the income criteria mentioned earlier.
Download and print the form below (please see how to access PDFs):
All sections of the form must be completed.
Completed forms should be returned to:
If you have any queries please contact the Awards and Benefits Service, telephone 01375 652511 , or if you child is excluded from school, the Pupil Referral Unit, telephone 01375 413779.
If your child is in receipt of free school meals, you need to notify us of:
If these changes are not notified to the Awards and Benefits department parents may be liable to refund any costs incurred.
After your initial application you will no longer receive any notifications from us unless there is a change in your benefit, In which case you must complete the change of circumstance form.
You may download and print the change of circumstance form below (please see how to access PDFs).
Completed forms should be returned to:
01375 652652
01375 652359
