HAPpy Eligibility Update September 2026

From September 2026 eligibility for Hertfordshire's HAPpy: Holiday Activity Programme will change.

UK Government - Best Start in Life has issued resources to support local authorities (LAs) in understanding and communicating how Free School Meal (FSM) changes from September 2026 will impact HAF eligibility and  operational implications.

 

HAPpy is part of the national Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF). The HAF programme provides eligible children and young people with healthy meals and enriching activities during school holidays benefiting their health, wellbeing, and learning.

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Summary of Changes

From the academic year 2026 to 2027, the government will extend Free School Meals (FSM) to all children from  households in receipt of Universal Credit. This represents a significant expansion of food support to households, reaching over half a million children.
HAF eligibility will not expand in line with this change. HAF will remain a targeted programme, aligned to the existing FSM threshold (targeted FSM), to ensure the programme continues to reach those it is designed to support.

Targeted FSM
Free school meals for children in households with household income below the existing threshold which is £7400. This group remains eligible for HAF.

Expanded FSM 
From September 2026, FSM will also be available to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit who have a household income of more than £7400. This expansion does not include HAF eligibility.

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Communications

Over the coming weeks, the HAPpy Coordination Team will be issuing guidance and resources directly to individuals and organisations who support Hertfordshire's families to access the HAPpy programme via signposting and professional referrals. Please look out for our messages and ensure you understand the changes so you can continue to support eligible families to access the programme.

If you have any questions about the changes in eligibility please don't hesitate to contact us at haf@herts.ac.uk. 

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UK Government - Best Start in Life resources can be found below.