If you're receiving qualifying benefits and pregnant or have a child under four years old, you can  get Healthy Start vouchers from the NHS  to help buy basic foods. 

Find out what benefits you can get 

Check what you’re entitled to using the benefits and financial support checker. 

Find out what benefits you can get if you're a parent or carer, or planning to have or adopt a child. 

Get help with childcare costs 

The government’s Childcare Choices website  will tell you what support you can get and how to apply. Support includes: 

  • Tax-free childcare (up to £2,000 a year per child) 
  • 15 hours free childcare if you have a two-year-old child and you’re on certain benefits 
  • 15 hours free childcare if you have three or four-year-old children 
  • 30 hours free childcare for working families with three or four-year-old children  

You may be also able to  claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs  if you’re eligible for Universal Credit. 

Support from education and early years settings

Schools, colleges and early years settings have been awarded funding that they can use to provide support to families they recognise as being in need.

It is not means-tested, and settings have discretion over the type of support that might be offered. This might include, for example: supermarket vouchers, warm clothing, white goods, blankets.

Find out more on the Connect 4 Communities website.

Support with feeding your kids

Free school meals

You can apply for free school meals for your child through HCC.

Holiday activity and food schemes

During school holidays, you may be able to attend Healthy Food and Holiday Activities (HAF) organised through HCC. There are specific sessions during the summer holidays.

Discounted and free meals for kids

How to get a free meal from Morrisons?

Everyone and anyone, both adults and children, can 'Ask for Ellen' at any MorrisonsCafé to receive two toasted crumpets, with butter and jam for free - no questions asked. Ask for Ellen will be available all day, in any of Morrisons 398 Cafés across the UK from July 17 to August 13, while stock lasts.

Morrisons

Only one free meal from the kids menu with any one adult meal with a value of £4.49 or over

ASDA café

Kids eat for £1 at Asda. Each child is entitled to a meal when they spend £1. Maximum of 1 meal from the kids menu per child, per day.

Hungry Horse

Every Monday Hungry Horse have selected Kids’ meals for just £1 and larger meals for £1.50. More info can be found here.

Tesco

At Tesco cafes kids eat free from 3 Mon 24th July - Friday 1st September providing a purchase of +60p is made. Clubcard/app required.

Sainsbury’s

At Sainsbury’s, kids can get a delicious children’s hot main meal or lunch bag for only £1. To avail this offer, an adult must purchase a hot main meal starting from £5.20 in the Sainsbury’s café. Terms and conditions apply.