Changes to free school meal voucher support
Families eligible for free school meals will no longer automatically receive food vouchers during school holidays, following changes to Government funding guidance.
Article date: 11 November 2026
Earlier this year, the Government replaced the Household Support Fund with the Crisis and Resilience Fund. The new fund is intended to support residents facing unexpected financial hardship or a sudden loss of income, while also helping people build longer-term financial resilience.
In line with guidance issued by the Department for Work and Pensions, local authorities are advised to no longer provide blanket food voucher support to all families eligible for free school meals during school holidays.
Eligibility to free school meals has been significantly extended from September and to continue support would be unaffordable under the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
A range of support remains available to help families across St Helens Borough, including:
- Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free activities and healthy meals for eligible children during school holidays. More information is available:
Families are also encouraged to check whether they are receiving all the financial support they may be entitled to by using the council's Better Off Calculator, available at www.sthelens.gov.uk/betteroffcalculator
Other support, including food, welfare advice, help with budgeting and assistance for residents facing financial hardship, continues to be available through the council and partner organisations, such as Citizens Advice and food banks and pantries.
Councillor David Kent, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance, said:
"This Government-directed change will be a blow to many residents whose finances are already being stretched during the ongoing cost of living crisis. The council's hand is being forced following updated Department for Work and Pensions guidance on how the new Crisis and Resilience Fund should be used. We will continue to monitor it's effect and continue to lobby government for increased funding which our residents deserve.
"Children and young people continue to be our number one priority, and we remain committed to supporting families across the borough who face hardship. We would encourage anyone who may be struggling to explore the help that is available, such as the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides free activities and nutritious meals for eligible children during the school holidays - as well as a range of financial support and advice services.
"We will continue to work with our partners to ensure residents can access the right support at the right time and help is available for those who need it most."
Residents can find further information about available support and advice by visiting: www.sthelens.gov.uk/sthelenstogether