Thousands to get free food support over February half-term

Thousands of families eligible for free school meals can get free food vouchers to help with the cost of the February half term.

The vouchers, worth £15, can used in supermarkets including Asda, Aldi, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Several can even be used for online shopping.

Some of the help will come from the Household Support Fund (HSF), a £421m government fund created in 2021 to help low-income households with rising living costs.

The HSF is delivered by councils to eligible residents locally. Your local council decides how it will distribute its share of the fund, so what help you receive will depend on where you live.

Other councils are extending their Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme to include the February half-term to provide extra support.

HAF is a programme that provides eligible children with free holiday club places and healthy meals. Around half a million children qualify for help from HAF, which usually includes support during the summer, Easter, and Christmas holidays.

Here’s a list of what different councils are offering:

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Eligible families can get £17.50 per week in vouchers to help with the cost of feeding children.

Salford City Council

Salford City council is accepting applications for February half-term vouchers from home-educated children and those who attend independent schools. Applications close on Friday 7 February.

Telford & Wrekin Council

Children from families who receive income-based free school meals, the Pup Premium and other programmes will be given vouchers.

Bath and North East Somerset

Families receiving benefit-related free school meals attending a school or academy in the area will receive February’s holiday vouchers.

Stockport

Stockport council has decided to extend the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme to cover the February half-term.

Check with your local council to find out if they’re offering food vouchers this half term.

Who is entitled to food holiday vouchers?

Households with children who qualify for benefits-related free school meals should also be eligible for holiday food vouchers.

What is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government scheme that helps households struggling with rising living costs. It is administered locally by councils, who choose how to spend their allocation; some provide money to help with energy, water, and food bills, while others offer vouchers.

Qualifying criteria differ depending on your location. However, low-income households or those receiving certain benefits with limited savings are typically eligible for support from the HSF. Those with disabilities or young children could also qualify.

What is the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme?

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a government-funded initiative that provides eligible children with free activities, such as sports, arts and crafts, cooking, and outdoor activities, alongside nutritious meals during school holidays.

It was created to tackle issues like holiday hunger and lack of engagement during the summer, Easter and Christmas school holidays.

Children who qualify for free school meals are eligible for help from HAF.