£30 food vouchers and winter activities available for Portsmouth families

Children on benefits-related free school meals will get a £30 supermarket voucher automatically. Schools expect to send these out in early December. Families don’t need to apply, but should contact their school if nothing arrives.

A separate scheme will open for low-income households whose children don’t get free school meals. Families with children aged 0–19 and a monthly household income of £1,870 or less can apply for a £30 voucher from 18 December 2025.

Households with someone 20 weeks or more pregnant, families with home-educated children and families who already receive a free school meal voucher but have other children aged 0-4 or 16-19 are also eligible.

Both voucher schemes are funded by the government’s household support fund distributed by Portsmouth City Council.

Applications run from December 18 until February 26, closing at 12pm. The council warns the scheme may shut early if funding runs out.

Applications can be made at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/household-support.

The council’s holiday activities and food programme, HAF Fun Pompey, also returns for the winter break. Free places are available for children on benefits-related free school meals. Bookings open Saturday 22 November at 9am.

Councillor Steve Pitt said: “Last summer we handed out over 11,000 vouchers to low-income Portsmouth families through our schools and our extended scheme, and we expect to help a similar number this winter.”

“With the return of HAF and other support schemes on offer, as well as the wider cost of living help available to all, we are determined to keep supporting the many Portsmouth households still battling with rising living costs.”

Anyone needing help to apply can call 023 9268 8010.

The council’s cost of living hub has information on food, energy, travel, debt, housing, jobs and wellbeing support. The cost of living helpline is open weekdays 9am–5pm (closing 4.30pm Fridays) on 023 9284 1047.