Free school meals? Your child can get fed, entertained, and maybe meet an alpaca this summer
Free meals, fun activities and childcare help if your child gets free school meals, but you need to apply. Here’s how it works.
If your child gets free school meals during term time, you could be missing out on something great about the school holidays!
They can get free food, free childcare, and free activities (including some things you might not expect, like art workshops or alpaca walks).
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It’s all part of the government’s Holiday Activities and Meals (HAF) programme. And even though it’s been a few years now, many families still don’t understand that they’re entitled to it or that they need to apply each time.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of it.
What exactly is it?
The HAF program is funded by the government but run by local councils. It gives children from low-income homes the opportunity to participate in fun, enriching activities during the main school holidays (Easter, summer and Christmas) and receive at least one free meal a day while there.
Think of it as a vacation club, but without emptying your bank account.
All councilors do it differently, but all must provide:
- 4 days of work on Easter
- 4 weeks in the summer (or 3 if the holiday is short)
- 4 days on Christmas
Some councils do more than that, so your child can get more.
What kind of jobs am I talking about?
This is not just crayons and crayons in the school hall.
Our local council provides many of the usual activities such as football, netball and tennis.
But, the council from us offers junior lifeguard training, water polo, kayaking, graffiti workshops, and alpaca walks (yes, really)!
How cool does that all sound? And remember it’s all FREE!
So your child can come home full of food, tired by day, and with a brand new habit of Peruvian livestock.
Who can find it?
If your child receives benefit-related free school meals, they must be eligible, even if they are not old enough to eat them (eg they are in reception or nursery, but you are already eligible).
It does not include children who only receive free school meals. This is for low income families.
Children need to be aged 4 and over, and you will need to apply for each holiday: it is not automatic.
How do you apply?
Each council does things in its own way. Others:
- The school has sent you a special HAF code to book sessions
- Use the online booking system
- Run travel times
- Offer small grants that you can use to book local activities
You will need to check your local council’s website or give them a ring. You can easily find them by searching for “holiday food and activities”. [your area]” or use gov.uk to find your council’s tool.
Some places also offer food vouchers
In some areas, you can also get £15 a week in supermarket vouchers during the holidays, per child.
This comes from the Family Support Fund, and again, it’s up to your council whether they offer this, and whether you need to apply for it or not.
A bit of a postcode lottery, but worth checking with your local council.
Don’t wait for them to tell you! Many families miss out simply because they don’t ask.
Read the following: 100 budget-friendly summer activities for kids
What if you are in Scotland?
Scotland does not use the same HAF scheme, but there is still help with holiday meals.
If your child receives cash-based free school meals, most councils will automatically send you cash for meals during the school holidays, around £2.50 per child, during the week.
Some councils pay more. In Midlothian, for example, families get:
- £4.20 per day for primary children
- £4.80 per day for secondary students
The main thing is that you should be applying for free school meals based on income, not just getting the meals offered to children in P1 to P5.
A final thought
Whether you need help with childcare, fear the cost of lunch every day, or your child just needs something to do that doesn’t involve staring at a screen, this support is here for you.
It’s free. It’s really good. And it can make summer vacations easier for everyone.
So don’t miss it. Check out what your council has to offer, apply, and let someone else worry about whether they’re going to eat lunch.
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