Free school meal vouchers worth up to £120 - how you can get yours

Free food vouchers worth up to £120 are available for thousands of families to help them through the school summer break. The vouchers can be used at major supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons.

They are being dished out by councils through the Household Support Fund (HSF). The HSF provides struggling households with support to pay for grocery and energy bills, as well as other costs.

It has been extended several times since it was introduced by Government in 2021. The funding is given to authorities, which then have their own schemes to distribute the cash.

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It means the support varies across the country, The Sun reports. Families who receive free school meals for children could be in line to get vouchers to help with costs during the six-week summer holiday.

For example, families in Hertfordshire receiving benefit-related free school meals will receive a £60 voucher in the summer holidays. In Norfolk, families in receipt of free school meals are eligible for a monthly voucher of £15 per child throughout the year.

They are also eligible for an additional payment of £15 during July and August. In Cambridgeshire, Cheshire and Chester West, families will receive £15 per week during the summer break for every pupil who gets free school meals.

The same level of support will also be provided in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The London Borough of Richmond has confirmed families receiving free school meals will be given food vouchers to support them through the holidays.

Last year, it gave families £120 per eligible child to help with costs during the six-week break.

What is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times - up until September 2024. The latest round of funding is worth £421million.

Each local authority can set its own criteria for handing out funds so who is eligible and what level of support they can get varies across the country. If you have a limited amount of money or savings, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, it is likely that you will qualify for support.

What support is available?

The support provided varies according to each council so it is worth checking with your local authority. In some cases, vouchers are sent automatically to families in receipt of free school meals via email or through their child's school.

But you might also have to fill in an application to receive the support. Existing benefits will not be affected by the HSF.

You also do not need to be in receipt of benefits to get support from the HSF. You should get in touch with your local council for more information.

Use the Government's council locator tool to find your local council and check what support you are entitled to. Scottish councils do not receive payments from the HSF but there is support available - find out more here.

How do you apply?

You will need to get in touch with your local council as they will be in charge of distributing the funding. Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council's website.

Each council will have a different application process. Many councils will not require you to apply for the help and will contact you about it or issue vouchers via email or your child's school.