Free School Meals (FSM)
Free School Meals rechecks 2026
HCC has completed all rechecks for pupils for all age groups and DFE FSM & Solero system have been updated to show new status.
Instructions for school on how to identify pupils that are no longer eligible (Year 3 +) within DFE system was explained in article in school bulletin w.c. 06/07/2026.
All Schools with Year 3+ Pupils
During the summer holidays, I will be undertaking an exercise in collaboration with the DfE and the Schools’ Admissions Team to transfer DfE FSM (Free School Meals) records for pupils moving to a new school.
To support this process and reduce the risk of duplicate records, please note the following:
Actions required
- Do not complete any pupil movement forms until September.
- Do not archive any applications for pupils who have left your school from now until further notification in early September.
- This is to ensure records can be transferred correctly and include the outcome of the FSM recheck.
Important notes
- Any duplicate applications may still be archived.
- In early September, schools will be notified when they can:
- Begin archiving pupils who have left their school.
- Submit pupil movement forms for those pupils who have transferred in but are not showing on DfE FSM records.
Additional guidance
- Any pupil transferring into your school from outside Hertfordshire must submit a new application via the HCC website.
All schools Year 3 + pupils
DFE FSM System
Rechecking of applications has now been completed, resulting in updated statuses as outlined below:
- Receiving entitlement (2025–2026):
These pupils are confirmed as eligible for Free School Meals for the remainder of the current academic year. - Receiving expanded & Entitled expanded:
These statuses relate to Free School Meals eligibility for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Once the application is finalised, all applications currently marked “Entitled expanded” will be updated to “Receiving expanded.” - Receiving targeted & Entitled targeted
These statuses also relate to Free School Meals eligibility for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Once finalised, all applications currently marked “Entitled targeted” will be updated to “Receiving targeted.”
For any pupil who currently shows a status of “Receiving entitlement (2025–2026)” but does not have an additional status listed for 2026–2027:
- The recent recheck has returned a result of “parent not eligible” or “no trace of parent.”
- No trace is typically due to a change in parent/carer details since the original application was submitted.
Action required from schools:
- Schools must inform parents/carers that the pupil is no longer eligible for Free School Meals from the start of the new academic year.
- Draft letters are available on the FSM HFL Grid, which schools can amend as required before issuing. Free School Meals (FSM) - Hertfordshire Grid for Learning
Next steps for parents/carers:
- If a parent/carer believes they may still be eligible, they must submit a new application via the HCC website. Free school meals and other benefits | Hertfordshire County Council
- Please note that HCC cannot review or amend the outcome of rechecks already carried out.
- Therefore, a new application is required for any case where eligibility is disputed.
Schools are required to
- Finalise applications for the upcoming year (not UIFSM Solero)
- Contact parents who are no longer eligible or cannot be traced. Example of letters you may wish to use to contact parents are available on the Grid
- Process any pending/sent for review applications. At present there are applications dating back to December that schools have not processed (not UIFSM Solero).
All pupils who are eligible for FSM in Year 2 must reapply when moving into Year 3. Due to changes in transitional protection, HCC will be unable to add pupils to school records for Year 3 unless a new FSM application has been made in the new academic year.
FSM Changes to Eligibility and Transactional Protection
On 8 May 2026 central government released latest information regarding changes to FSM eligibility and impact upon on funding. Please refer to these if you have any questions about new eligibility status or funding changes.
Gov.UK: Free School Meal guidance (schools)
Gov.UK: Free School Meals grant (expanded)
Gov.UK: Free School Meal guidance (further education)
HCC funding team can also answer questions about funding (not pupil eligibility) - csf.sfu@hertfordshire.gov.uk
FSM Resources
FSM - Change of School
The link below should be used for all pupils from Reception to Year 13, for those pupils who have joined, are leaving, or have never attended your school. This process has been introduced following the closure of Solero (Year 3+) to standardise procedures and ensure that all required information is available to enable the successful transfer of pupils when they change schools.
Hertfordshire.Gov.UK: Pupils joining or leaving your school
NB: No Pupil Movement forms (Year 3+) are to be submitted between 17 June 2026 and 01 September 2026. Any that are submitted will not be processed. FSM and school admission team are liaising to identify school movers and any pupils that are missed will be dealt with at the start of the academic year.
DFE Free Schools Meal system
Below are slides and powerpoint presentations. The school walkthrough is a guide how to use the system from start to finish. The other slides are from Town Hall events that were held soon after launch of new DFE FSM system.
Letters for parents
New Free School Meal Eligibility Categories – Summer 2026
The information referenced in the Word document formed part of the School Census guidance issued to schools earlier this year which explains the new eligibility categories from summer 2026. This information is contained on pages 32 to 35 of the document and provides an explanation of the two new Free School Meal categories: Targeted and Expanded.
In addition, the Town Hall event taking place on Wednesday 3 June 2026 will provide further detail on how the Department for Education (DfE) system will operate from the start of the new school year. This session will explain how the different Free School Meal categories will be recorded and displayed within the DfE system.
Free School Meals (FSM) guidance - SEND
This guidance is specific for children who have an EHCP and are receiving an education other than at school (EOTAS) packages. Eligibility criteria and support for families of children receiving an education other than at school (EOTAS).
Providing Free School Meals to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
This article provides guidance about FSM eligibility for families with NRPF and how schools can support families with applications.
FSM transitional protection
This bulletin provides updated information about FSM transitional protection. At present HCC are awaiting further guidelines from DFE and as soon as we have an update this will be shared via school bulletin as well as being visible on The Grid.
School meals for Ukrainian refugees
This bulletin provides guidance on providing meals for this group.
Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) applications – Reception to year 2
Parents/guardians can apply for a FSM for pupils in KS1 using this link Free School Meals (Universal Infant / Nursery) - register. Pupils who moved from year 2 to year 3 must reapply at the start of the academic year.
All FSM records for UIFSM years are available on SOLERO system. Please check this report on a regular basis.
Music applications for support with music fees.
The application process for support with music fees (100% remission and 50%) changed in June 2022.
- Families wishing to view information or apply for music should visit Hertfordshire Music Service
- For families unable to make an online application:
- Schools are advised to support the family make the application on their behalf. Schools should speak to Hertfordshire Music Service (HMS) directly regarding offline applications.
- At present HMS do not have a telephone number for offline referrals, however families can email the dedicated inbox for financial support applications: remission@herfordshire.gov.uk.