Eligibility Criteria
If you live in Derbyshire and your child is eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), you may be entitled to access funded holiday club spaces through the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme during the Spring, Summer and Winter school holidays.
From September 2026, there are two levels of FSM eligibility and it’s important to know the difference because not all children who receive free school meals are eligible for the HAF Programme.
✅ Targeted Free School Meals – HAF eligible
Your child may be eligible for both free school meals and the HAF Programme if your household:
- Receives Universal Credit with annual net earnings of £7,400 or less, or
- Receives another qualifying benefit, such as Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The HAF Programme is for children from Reception to Year 11 (inclusive) who meet these targeted eligibility criteria.
❌ Expanded Free School Meals – Not HAF eligible
Some families receiving Universal Credit with annual net earnings above £7,400 may now qualify for free school meals under the expanded criteria.
These children can receive free school meals at school, but they are not eligible for funded places through the HAF Programme.
How do I check if my child is eligible?
You can check your eligibility and apply for free school meals through Derbyshire County Council’s Free School Meals service.
What if my child is eligible for HAF?
If your child is eligible for the HAF Programme, you should receive a booking code from your child’s school.
If you think your child is eligible for HAF, but you haven’t received a booking code, please speak to your child’s school, who can check this for you.
What if my child is not eligible for HAF?
Many of our It’s About Me holiday club providers also offer paid holiday club places across Derbyshire. Please contact the holiday club directly to find out more about availability, costs and how to book.
You may also be able to access financial support to help with childcare costs:
- Universal Credit or Tax-Free Childcare may help towards the cost of childcare.
- Visit our Family Support page for a range of resources and information to support you and your family.
- The Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) provides grants and other support to Derbyshire residents experiencing financial hardship. The fund is provided by the UK government.