Winter Holiday Activities and Food Programme #HAF2026

What is planned for Winter HAF programme 2026:

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offers free holiday sessions for children and young people aged 4–16 years who are eligible for Benefit Related Free School Meals.

Funded by the Department for Education, the aim of the HAF programme is to offer free holiday clubs or activity places over the school holidays to children who are in receipt of Targeted benefit related free school meals.

We are aiming to fund a 3 Day Winter programme with a diverse range of enriching, fun and physical activities with hot food which are attractive and engaging for all ages and abilities of children and young people.

We hope that by doing this that eligible children and young people across Milton Keynes, will be supported to;

• eat more healthily over the school holidays
• be more active during the school holidays
• take part in engaging and enriching activities
• be safe and not to be socially isolated
• have greater knowledge of health and nutrition

Each HAF activity session should:

• operate for a minimum of four hours a day
• include both enriching and physical activities to create a balanced programme for children and young people, ensuring they have a holistic and varied experience
• incorporate helping children to understand more about the benefits of healthy eating and nutrition into their programme as well as stigma-free opportunities to support children and young people in learning about healthy lifestyles and exercise
• include a healthy hot meal for each attendee (can be cooked on-site or delivered via a caterer or food business)
• HAF grant-funded holiday activities can only be provided to children living in Milton Keynes who receive Targeted benefits-related free school meals
• Be able to demonstrate an ability to deliver activities in line with the government HAF guidance

We are keen to work with providers who are able to offer a mixed delivery model, combining HAF‑funded provision with optional paid sessions. This approach enables families to access a full day of holiday provision, while also supporting sustainability for providers. 

For example, a provider may offer a HAF‑funded session from 13:00 to 17:00, with the option for families to pay for an additional morning session from 09:00 to 13:00.

How can I submit an application to be a HAF provider for Winter?  

To apply for funding for Winter HAF 2026 please complete the Expression of Interest and the Subsidy Control form. 

On completion submit the bellow documents to HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk: 

• Your organisation's Safeguarding statement
• Annex 1 for each location
• Grant Payment form (new providers only)
• Youth Practice Safe Mark or proof of application made 

One EOI is need per organisation:  Complete a separate section for each location or trip. There is also sections for a SEND specific provision.

It is anticipated decisions regarding funding will be made by early November 2026.

The deadline for Winter 2026 applications is Midnight Sunday 20th September 2026.

Please email us at HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk if you have any questions. 

Winter 2026 HAF Expression of Interest Pack

Holiday activities and food programme winter 2026 - expression of interest form

Subsidy control form - winter holiday fund 2026

Free school meal heat map

Frequently asked questions - winter holiday fund 2026

Winter holiday fund - annex

New providers grant payment form

Free School Meals, who is eligible?

You must be in receipt of one of the below benefits to be eligible for free school meals for your child/children: 

• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance – Income related
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (not Contribution Based JSA)
• Child Tax Credit only (with a combined family income of less than £16,190 per annum as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) Please note, anyone receiving Working Tax Credit, regardless of income, will not qualify for free school meals.
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you receive)
• National Asylum Seekers Support (NASS)
• Guaranteed Element of Pension Tax Credit

If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals, please contact your child's school or click the link below to apply.

Milton Keynes Council Free School Meals Application

Free school meals – Changes for September 2026 

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Please visit: MKCC Free School Meals for more information

HAF Activities and booking – FAQs 

How is the HAF programme funded? 

The council has been awarded grant funding, by the Department for Education (DfE), to coordinate free activities and food, for children in receipt of benefit-related Free School Meals (FSM), during the three main school holidays in Summer, Summer, and Winter 2026. 

We want to offer a diverse range of events this Summer to meet the local interests and needs of children, young people, and their families. We hope this programme of activities will help children and young people to: 

• eat more healthily over the school holidays
• be more active during the school holidays
• take part in engaging and enriching activities
• be safe and not to be socially isolated
• have greater knowledge of health and nutrition; and to be more engaged with school and other local services 

HAF Annual report 2025-26

Please see information and family feedback on the HAF programme - HAF Annual Report 2025-26

Cost of living support

If you are worried about your finances and how you are going to make ends meet, there is help available. Please find below links to some of the support available to the residents of Milton Keynes. Read our cost of living help factsheet. 

Help with paying your rent and Council Tax

• Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction – Make a new claim for Council Tax Reduction or report a change in circumstances
• Discretionary Council Tax Reduction Scheme – MKC funded to provide additional support to those experiencing financial hardship.
• (CRF) Housing Payment – An additional payment to individuals on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Element that are struggling to meet a shortfall in their rent

Help with essential costs including food and energy  

• Local Welfare Provision – MKC funded to provide essential support in the event of an emergency
• Food Bank - The provision of food, fuel, and small essential items, mostly in partnership with voluntary and charity groups
• SOFEA - support with food through community larders,  as well as wellbeing support.

Benefits calculator

Not on benefits or need to apply for another benefit

If you are not already receiving a benefit, the first thing you should do is make a new claim. Use the benefit calculator to work out which benefit you should claim.

You can also use this link if you are already receiving a benefit but wish to know if you should claim another benefit, such as Universal Credit.

Other government support

There are benefits you may be entitled to if your income is low or has gone down. 

• Cost of Living Hub - find out what support is available to help with the cost of living. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
• Universal Credit – tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Read more on the GOV.UK Universal Credit web page.
• Job Seekers Allowance – tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Read more on the GOV.UK Job Seeker’s Allowance web page.
• Income Support – tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Read more on the GOV.UK Income Support web page.
• Employment and Support Allowance – tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Read more on the GOV.UK Employment Support web page.
• Tax Credits – tell Her Majesties Revenues & Customs (HMRC). Read more on the GOV.UK Report Changes that Affect your Tax Credits web page.

NHS Healthy Start scheme

If you are pregnant, or have a child under 4, and you are claiming certain benefits you may be able to get financial help to buy healthy foods and milk under the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

If you’re eligible (check your eligibility here), then you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use at supermarkets, local shops and markets stocking fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables. You can also take your card to a local children’s centre to collect free vitamins for babies and young children.

It’s much easier to apply, now the scheme has been revised so families can apply online. A list of frequently asked questions can be found here.