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 (updated January 2025)

Source: www.bigissue.com/life/food/all-the-places-where-kids-eat-free-during-the-holidays/ 

Morrisons

Children aged 16 and below can get one free meal with every adult meal. The offer only applies when you purchase an adult meal with a value of £4.50 or over, and it excludes all cafe specials. The meal includes a piece of fruit and orange or apple juice or bottle of water. Read the terms and conditions here.

Bella Italia

Kids can eat free all day every Thursday and for £1 between 4pm to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday, at Bella Italia. They get three courses and a drink. Meals are suitable for two to 11 year olds, with smaller and larger portion sizes to suit their appetites.

The cheapest adult main course is the margherita pizza, priced at £11.49 – though these prices go up to £11.99 at some London and Center Parcs branches. Read all about it.

Dunelm

Many of the furnishing retailer’s branches have an in-store eatery, the Pausa cafe. Kids can get a ‘mini main’, two snacks and a drink for free, as long as an accompanying adult spends £4 or more.

Tesco Cafe

Kids eat free at Tesco Café all year round with the Kids’ Pick ‘N’ Mix Lunch Deal. Your child will get a sandwich, a piece of fruit, two snacks and a drink. An adult just has to buy any item in the Tesco Café (that includes drinks).

Travelodge

If you happen to be staying in a Travelodge in January, kids aged 15 and under eat completely free. Your child can choose as much as they like from the cooked selection, including prime back bacon, Cumberland pork sausages, free range scrambled eggs and more. Up to two kids can eat free for every full paying adult, starting at £5.50 for a breakfast to go.

Premier Inn

When an adult orders a full Premier Inn breakfast or a meal deal, up to two under 16s eat breakfast for free. Find out more.

Holiday Inn

Kids eat (and stay) free at Holiday Inn. It is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel’s dine-in restaurant. Your kids will get a main course and dessert. An adult (who is registered as a hotel guest) must order at least one course from the full priced menu. It’s limited to four children per dining family. Find out more here – including how kids can stay for free at Holiday Inn. 

Table Table

Two kids under the age of 16 can get free, unlimited breakfast at Table Table’s all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast. You have to purchase an adult breakfast at a cost of £9.99. It promises a freshly cooked full English with all your cooked and continental favourites.

Brewers Fayre

Kids can get free buffet breakfast at Brewers Fayre. Kids have to be under the age of 16 to eat for free, and you have to purchase an adult breakfast for £10.99. 

Beefeater

Beefeater also offers two kids all-you-can-eat breakfast for free. Kids have to be under the age of 16 to eat for free, and you have to purchase an adult breakfast for £10.99. 

Hungry Horse

Every Monday, kids can eat for £1 at Hungry Horse pubs. Dishes include pork sausages, fish fingers and chicken nuggets and a small beef burger. Up to two kids can eat with every full paying adult. Larger dishes will cost you £1.50.

Asda Cafe

Asda’s kids eat for £1 meal deal has been extended all year round. Kids can get a hot meal, such as penne pasta with meatballs, fish fingers, chicken nuggets and all-day breakfast. They will also receive a free piece of fruit. There’s also a cold pick and mix selection that includes a sandwich, drink and piece of fruit. And you don’t have to buy anything yourself to go with it!