Each Council may have small differences in their eligibility criteria. Please go to your Council's HAF page for detailed information in your county. Please click here to find out which Council you are with.

The rules around Free School Meals (FSM) changed from September 2026, and this has also changed how eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme works.

Being entitled to a free school meal does not automatically mean that your child is eligible for HAF.

What has changed?

Before September 2026, some children kept their Free School Meal status even when their family's income changed.

This has now changed and Free School Meal eligibility is checked annually under the new rules.

This means some families who got HAF before may not be eligible now.

Other families may now get Free School Meals for the first time, but may not get HAF.

From September 2026, there are two categories of benefits-based Free School Meals:

Targeted Free School Meals (targeted FSM): for children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.
Expanded Free School Meals (expanded FSM): for children in households receiving Universal Credit whose annual household earnings are above £7,400.

Who is eligible for HAF?

Only those with Targeted FSM are eligible for HAF. This means that some children who qualify for a free school meal under the new expanded criteria will not qualify for a HAF-funded place.

There are also some other circumstances in which a child may qualify for targeted FSM, including certain families receiving other qualifying benefits or support. This can include:

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
The guarantee element of Pension Credit
Certain families receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Certain families with no recourse to public funds, subject to the applicable income and eligibility rules.

I think I'm entitled but I haven't applied, what should I do?

Your Council will provide a link to their website to sign up.

I'm not entitled to Targeted Free School Meals, are there any exceptions?

Some Councils have a small amount of discretionary funding. If your child is vulnerable, please make a booking and complete as much information as you can to allow the Council to make a decision. They may contact you or your school to discuss your child's needs and situation.

I have been Declined but I want to appeal

You should have been provided the email of your Council in your decline email.

Check your child's name is spelt exactly as it appears on the register.

Check your child's date of birth is correct.

Please email your Council with additional information.

Please note that Eequ can only provide the contact details for your council and cannot influence eligibility decisions.

Need more help? 💬

Am I eligible for the HAF Programme?