EdTech charity LGfL has launched an enhanced National Free School Meal (FSM) Eligibility Checker to break down the digital and administrative barriers that prevent hundreds of thousands of eligible children from accessing Free School Meals.

Despite being entitled to support, an estimated 250,000 eligible pupils in England are not currently registered.  With 18% of children living in food-insecure households, the need to simplify access to Free School Meals is more urgent than ever.

“This upgraded FSM Eligibility Checker removes the admin gap that has denied too many children the food and support they qualify for,” said John Jackson, CEO of LGfL. “It’s about making sure every eligible child is seen and fed - while schools receive the Pupil Premium funding they’re entitled to.”

The new system enables instant checks via secure links to the DfE systems. It removes the need for paperwork, streamlining the process for families and schools, and supports bulk checking by schools, MATs, and local authorities.

Since 2014, LGfL’s FSM tools have helped identify over £232 million in potential Pupil Premium Funding, supporting hundreds of thousands of pupils across England - with £41.5 million of potential funding unlocked in a single year alone.