Free School Meals

Free School Meal holiday vouchers

Under the Household Support Fund, West Sussex County Council has previously provided holiday food vouchers for all children eligible for Free School Meals. The Easter 2026 school holiday voucher scheme was the final round of universal FSM vouchers funded through the Household Support Fund.

Under the Crisis and Resilience Fund, Government guidance places greater emphasis on targeted support for households experiencing financial hardship, rather than universal provision.

As a result, universal Free School Meal holiday vouchers will not continue in the same way under the new fund. However, families experiencing financial difficulty will still be able to seek support through other routes.

How will residents access support?
Residents who are experiencing financial hardship will be able to access support through the West Sussex Community Hub.

The Community Hub can:

• Provide advice and guidance on available support
• Help residents understand what assistance they may be eligible for
• Connect residents with appropriate local services and organisations

Support will continue to be available through multiple access routes, including assistance for residents who cannot apply online.

Community Hub contact details
Schools may wish to let families know that residents experiencing financial hardship can contact the Community Hub:

• Online
• By phone: 0330 222 7980

The Community Hub is open 09:00 - 17:00 seven days a week (except Bank Holidays, when the service operates between 10:00 - 14:00).