LGfL Free School Meals (FSM) School FAQ

We are currently rolling out a new LGfL Free School Meal (FSM) Checker to replace the legacy system (pps.lgfl.org.uk) that has been in use for over a decade. Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about the new checker (fsmnew.lgfl.net). If your question isn’t covered here or you need any assistance, please get in touch with us.

If you are a parent or guardian, you can find an FAQ at this link.

Getting Started

First time using the FSM Checker? Start here.

Introduction

The Free School Meal (FSM) Eligibility Checker is a quick and easy online tool for parents, carers, schools, and Local Authorities. In just a few minutes, it can confirm whether a child qualifies for free school meals, which also helps schools identify pupils who may also be eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

Parents simply provide some of their details, their child's details, and select their child's school. This information is securely processed through the Department for Education, and results are returned instantly.

School FSM administrators can view results submitted by parents for their school, run their own checks on behalf of parents, and carry out bulk uploads or periodic rechecks to track changes in eligibility.

Please note that while the checker can confirm eligibility, it does not automatically apply for free school meals or Pupil Premium. Each school must submit applications to their Local Authority. The results provided are intended as a tool to help schools identify families who may qualify and take appropriate next steps.

How to Get Access

Schools can request access to the FSM Checker by completeing the form on the LGfL website.

If your school is already set up on the checker but you do not yet have access, an existing administrator at your school can add you via the Settings page by selecting Add Admin.

The credentials used to access the new FSM Checker are different from those used for the old system, and access has not been automatically transferred.

Navigating the Site

To log in, visit the site and select the Admin Login option in the top-right corner of the home page. You will then be prompted to sign in using your school’s Google or Microsoft account, or with your email address and FSM password if you chose that option when setting up your account.

Once logged in, the navigation menu appears on the left side of the screen, giving you quick access to all key sections.

To manage your account, log out, or switch between schools (if you’re linked to more than one), use the options in the top-right corner.

Adding a New Administrator

Additional administrators at your school can be added via the Settings page. To do this, visit Settings, select Add Admin, enter their email address and tick the Send email invite box.

They will then receive an email inviting them to become an administrator.

If the email address is not currently registered on the FSM system, the recipient will have the option to set up their own account using Google, Microsoft, or their email address with a password of their choice. If the user already has an FSM account, your school will be added to their existing account.

If a user does not respond to their invitation email, it can be resent from the Settings page. Administrators can also be removed using the Delete option. It is important to ensure that access is removed when access is no longer required, for example when staff leave the school. The Last Login is also displayed on this page, showing the last time a user logged in.

Moving from the old LGfL FSM Checker

Everything you need to know about switching to the new LGfL FSM Checker.

Overview

The new LGfL FSM Checker, available at fsmnew.lgfl.net, has been developed in response to feedback from schools, MATs, and Local Authorities. It is being rolled out over this academic year, with plans to retire the legacy checker in due course. Next year, the URL will change from fsmnew.lgfl.net to fsm.lgfl.net (fsmnew.lgfl.net will continue to work). We encourage all schools to move to the new checker as soon as possible, and we’re here to help with any questions. Complete the form on the LGfL website to request access.

Please note that no data (including applications and administrators) are being automatically transferred from the old FSM Checker. This is for several reasons, including that the legacy system does not support archiving functionality, meaning many records may no longer be required and should be removed, and many FSM administrator details, including their email addresses, may not be up to date. We’ve prepared a set of FAQs to guide you through moving your data, and we’re always here to help if you need any assistance.

Whats New?

The new LGfL FSM Checker introduces a number of key improvements based on feedback from schools, MATs and Local Authorities. These include:

Bulk upload functionality: Running checks on behalf of parents no longer needs to be carried out a single check at a time. Simply upload a spreadsheet of applications in one go.
No USO link or MIS data sharing: You no longer need to share student and parent/guardian data from your MIS. Previously, schools could not fully utilise the FSM checker if they did not share this MIS data.
Available to all schools: The FSM checker is now available to every school across the country, including those without an LGfL connection.
Greater control over applications: Admins can now edit application details (for example to correct mistakes).
Archiving and deletion: Applications can be archived (e.g. when a student has left but records need to be retained) or deleted (e.g. when an application was made in error).
Modern login options: Admins can now sign in using Microsoft or Google accounts.
Simplified parent access: Parents no longer have usernames or passwords. If they want to return to their application, they receive a secure login link via email.
Notes and audit logs: Add notes to applications and view detailed audit trails.

We’re planning further enhancements too and welcome your input to make the FSM Checker even better.

Migrating Your Data from the Legacy FSM Checker

Please see our guide on how to move data from the old FSM Checker: Migrating from the Legacy LGfL FSM Checker to the New System . If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Using the Portal

Step-by-step guidance on using the FSM Checker..

What Parents See

Parents have access to a form where they can run an eligibility check.

The process for parents is:

Visit the website and click Check Eligibility from the home page.
Select their child’s school. (A custom link is available on the Settings page that preselects your school for them.)
Enter their details.
Enter their child’s details.
Review the information entered and click Submit.
View the eligibility result.

Once submitted, the application will be visible to their child's school's.

Parents can later return to their application by selecting View Previous Check on the home page, entering their email address and then clicking the “magic link” that will be emailed to them. Once authenticated, they can view and manage any checks they have made previously.

Screenshots

Below are screenshots showing what a parent would see when making an application:

Step 1 - Visit the website and click Check Eligibility from the home page.

Step 2 - Select their child’s school. (If you are planning to email parents a link to the FSM checker, you may wish to use the custom link that is available on the Admin Settings page as this will preselect your school when clicked on.)

Step 3 - Enter their personal details.

Step 4 - Enter their child’s details.

Step 5 - Review the information entered and click Submit.

Step 6 - View the eligibility result on screen. A summary version will also be emailed to them.

Below are screenshots showing what a parent would see when returning to view or manage previous applications:

Step 1 - Click View Previous Check from the home page.

Step 2 - Enter the email address they used on their application.

Step 3 - A message will appear to say they have been sent a magic link.

Step 4 - They should then go to their email account and click the link to sign in.

Step 5 - They will then be signed in and will see all their applications, which they can view and manage.

Running a Check on Behalf of a Parent

Although parents can carry out an FSM check themselves, schools can also do this on their behalf.

Carrying out a check for a parent requires that the parent has given consent and provided the required details in order for the check to be made. The DfE provide a template that can be used to collect the required information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-and-pupil-premium-registration-form

To run a single check, log in to the Admin Portal and choose the option Apply for Parent. You will see a simplified version of the application form that a parent would use, which you can complete and submit.

If you need to make applications for several parents, a bulk upload tool is available in the portal:

Go to the Bulk Checks page in the left-hand navigation.
Select Bulk Upload.
Download the provided template from the popup window.
Complete the required details in the template and save the file.
Return to the popup and click Select File to upload it.

The system will process all applications in the template and email you when the checks are complete. You can also view the results directly on the page.

Please note that if you run a check on behalf of a parent (either individually or in bulk), no email will be sent to the parents. Emails are only sent to parents from the system when parents run a check or recheck themselves.

Bulk Recheck & Bulk Upload

The portal provides options to perform actions in bulk via the Bulk Checks page: Bulk Recheck and Bulk Upload.

Bulk Recheck: This option rechecks the eligibility of all non-archived applications previously submitted for your school to check whether their status has changed. When you run a recheck you may wish to use the tickbox at the top of the page to display only the applications where the status has changed. It's important to run this periodically, as a parent’s eligibility can change over time.
Bulk Upload: This option allows you to download a template spreadsheet, complete it, and upload it back to the portal. The system will then check eligibility for everyone in your spreadsheet, and results will appear in the portal. If you only need to submit a small number of applications, you can also use the Apply for Parent option in the left-hand navigation instead.

Managing Applications

From the Home page, you can view all your school's applications in a table format which can be customised using the options provided.

Table Actions

Show/Hide Columns: Select which columns are visible in the table.

Filtering: Each column header includes filter options, allowing you to modify the table view. The table can also be sorted by clicking on the headings.

Archive Applications: If a child is no longer at your school, we would recommend archiving the application. To do this tick the checkbox on the relevant row(s) and click Archive. To identify applications that should be archived, you may wish to sort and/or filter the DoB column to find ones that are outside of your school's age range. Archived applications will not appear by default and are excluded from bulk rechecks. Note if you want to view them later, use the Current Status filter and include archived items. If you need to unarchive an application, click View on the application and reset the status in the top right.

Reset Table: If you’ve hidden/shown columns or applied filters and want to revert back to the default view, click Reset Table.

Export: Download all applications as an Excel file.

Viewing & Editing an Application

Click View on a row to see the full application details. From here, you can:

Recheck: Recheck the eligibility for the application.
Transfer: Move the application to another school.
Delete: Permanently delete the application.

Edit Details: You can update any information by clicking Edit in the top-right corner of a section and then correcting the details.
Change Eligibility Status: In the eligibility section, click Edit to override the DfE checker result. Any changes made here are for managing applications within the portal only and will not be sent back to the DfE. For example, if the portal cannot confirm eligibility but the parent has provided proof, you may wish to manually mark the application as eligible. If needed, you can later undo this by selecting the reset option.
Add or Edit Notes: In the notes section, click Edit to record any additional information you want to save. Please note the change history and anything entered into the notes section will not be visible to the parent.

Understanding Eligibility

Learn who qualifies and how eligibility is assessed.

Who is Eligible for Free School Meals?

Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
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 guarantee 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

In addition, the following pupils will be protected against losing their free school meals:

Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies regardless of any change in household circumstances, including if their earnings rise above the threshold during that time. Protections will remain in place until the end of the 2025/26 school year.
From the start of the 2026/27 school year, the Department for Education will extend entitlement to free school meals to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit. It is our intention to end transitional protections alongside this change in threshold, with eligibility for all pupils reverting to whether they meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they were previously protected. We will issue further guidance ahead of September 2026.
A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal when a claim for the meal has been made on their behalf and their eligibility, or protected status, has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority.

Transitional Protections

Transitional protections apply from 1 April 2018, until the end of the 2025/26 school year.

Pupils becoming eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria in this time, will continue to receive free meals until the end of the 2025/26 school year.

This applies, regardless of any change in household circumstances, including an increase in earnings above the eligibility threshold.

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, it is the Department for Education’s intention that all protections will be discontinued, alongside an extension to the eligibility criteria for free school meals. From this point, households must meet the eligibility criteria to be entitled to free school meals.

No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

The DfE have permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds.

This guidance explains who these groups are and how schools can verify their eligibility and award free school meals.

Schools are not able to use the eligibility checker to confirm eligibility for these families as the family will not be in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits.

Eligible groups

These groups include, but may not be limited to children of:

Zambrano carers
Families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
A subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Chen carers
Families holding a BN(O) passport
Spousal visa holders
Work visa holders
Student visa holders
Those with no immigration status

Income thresholds

Under the permanent extension of free school meal eligibility to all NRPF groups, the annual household income thresholds for those families able to work are:

£22,700 for families outside of London with 1 child
£26,300 for families outside of London with 2 or more children
£31,200 for families within London with 1 child
£34,800 for families within London with 2 or more children

Whether a person is considered within the London, or the outside London threshold will be determined by the address of the family. If the family is living within the local authority of one of the 33 London boroughs, the London thresholds will apply. In addition to these thresholds, families must hold no more than £16,000 in capital and savings.

Providing an application form

We have provided a sample application form, including a self-declaration that you can provide to families and carers for verifying eligibility. Though the form is designed for applicants to complete themselves, we appreciate that individual circumstances may make this difficult, and schools can assist with the completion if required. Use of the sample application form is not mandatory. You can create your own form if you prefer.

Recording eligible pupils

You should record eligible free school meals pupils who qualify through the NRPF criteria in the termly school census, in the same way as all other free school meals pupils. You should retain evidence of the application including the self-declaration and any supporting documentation for usual audit purposes.

Confirming NRPF status

We have provided examples of how families can demonstrate their NRPF status. This list is not necessarily exhaustive, and families may be able to provide alternative evidence not listed. In all cases, the family should complete and sign the self-declaration form confirming both their immigration category and that they are not above the maximum income threshold required for their area.

Article 8 of the ECHR

Families will be able to provide a letter from the Home Office granting them leave to remain in the UK or a biometric residence card.

Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Families will be able to provide a letter from the Home Office or local authority confirming Section 4 support or an ASPEN card.

BN(O) passport holders

Families will be able to show either a BN(O) passport or visa.

Spouse, work or student visa holders

Families will be able to show their visa.

Zambrano or Chen carers

In many (but not all) cases, the family will be able to show a derivative residence card. If they do not hold this, they must be able to show that:

The carer or parent is not a British citizen
The child is a British citizen
The carer is a direct relative or legal guardian of the child, and they have the primary responsibility for the child
There are no other members of the carers’ family in the UK or the EEA who could look after the child

Confirming income

Check the income thresholds for your area. Families should complete a self-declaration of their income as part of their application. To verify this, we suggest you ask to see one of the following:

Payslip
P60
Bank statement
Letter from their bank
Letter from their employer
Letter from the local authority confirming support if applicable

Is my child affected by transitional Protections

Transitional protections apply from 1 April 2018, until the end of the 2025/26 school year.

Pupils becoming eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria in this time, will continue to receive free meals until the end of the 2025/26 school year.

This applies, regardless of any change in household circumstances, including an increase in earnings above the eligibility threshold.

Family Shows as Not Eligible - What Next?

Transitional protections apply from 1 April 2018, until the end of the 2025/26 school year.

Pupils becoming eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria in this time, will continue to receive free meals until the end of the 2025/26 school year.

This applies, regardless of any change in household circumstances, including an increase in earnings above the eligibility threshold.

This checker has a direct feed from the from the DWP. The data does not reflect the fact that a child is protected; the eligibility checker will return a 'Not Eligible' result for these children. This is determined by the date your child was in receipt of the Free School Meal.

If a parent feels that the result returned by the ECS is inaccurate, they may provide the equivalent paper-based evidence to their local authority who must then complete a manual check. See the section called Paper based evidence below.

Paper-based evidence

There may be instances when parents need to submit paper-based evidence in support of their free school meals claim. This may be especially relevant for families claiming under income-based benefits, or when they are unable to submit information through the online Universal Credit system.

For families that might be eligible for free school meals under Universal Credit, applicants should provide:

A copy of their Universal Credit award statement (from their most recent assessment period(s) – going back a maximum of three assessment periods).
The three relevant Universal Credit assessment periods would be the three complete assessment periods which immediately preceded the date on which the parent requests free school meals.

For families that are eligible for free school meals under Child Tax Credit or a legacy benefit, applicants should provide:

A letter from Jobcentre Plus confirming eligibility or Income Support payment book;
A final Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602) from HM Revenue & Customs.

For families that are eligible for free school meals under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 or the guarantee element of the Pension Credit, applicants should provide:

A letter from the Home Office stating that they are receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
A ‘Pension Credit M1000 Award Notice’ clearly showing details of any Guarantee Pension Credit in payment.

Carrying Out a Manual UC Statement Check

When carrying out a manual check of a UC statement the DfE have advised that the figure to use is the “earnings reported by your employer”. This figure should not be over the monthly threshold for FSM which is currently £616.67.

Click here to see the guidance from the DfE: Free School Meals Guidance (DfE PDF)

Eligibility for Carers and Forster Carers

The rules around eligibility for free school meals work the same for carers and foster parents as they do for birth parents.

If a child is in care, then the information entered should be that of the carer.

Further Assistance from the DfE

Schools can send their queries via this link or call the DfE helpline - 0370 000 2288. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Click here to see the guidance from the DfE: Free School Meals Guidance (DfE PDF)