A letter sent by Swindon Borough Council confirms the Government’s Household Support Fund ended on 31st March 2026. As a result, automatic free school meal holiday vouchers will no longer be issued through that route.
The funding has been replaced locally by a new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which began in April 2026. Unlike the previous scheme, support is no longer automatically provided to families whose children qualify for benefits-related free school meals.
Under the former arrangements, schools in Swindon were able to distribute holiday food vouchers directly to eligible pupils. In December 2025, each child receiving benefits-related free school meals was entitled to a £24 voucher, with schools able to allocate an additional discretionary 10% to other families they believed would benefit.
The council says it has been allocated £8.3 million over three years through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. The scheme is aimed at helping low-income households facing a sudden financial shock, while also offering housing support and services designed to improve longer-term financial resilience.
Government guidance states the fund runs from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029. It is intended to assist low-income households experiencing financial hardship and replaces Discretionary Housing Payments in England.
In its letter to parents and carers, the council explains that families may still be eligible for help if they are experiencing hardship due to a recent crisis or unexpected change in circumstances. This could include a sudden loss or reduction of income, unexpected essential costs, or difficulty paying for food, heating, energy or other essentials.
Parents are advised to speak to their child’s school or another supporting professional to discuss whether a referral is appropriate. Families can also self-refer through the council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund webpage.
The change does not mean all school holiday provision has ended. Swindon’s Holiday Activities and Food programme will continue, after the Department for Education confirmed it will run from 2026 to 2029.
Around 10,000 children in Swindon remain eligible for funded holiday club places and meals through that programme.
However, the shift marks a clear change in approach. Where many families previously received predictable holiday support automatically, assistance will now depend on application and assessment.
