Help with food

If you're struggling to pay for food, free independent benefits and money advice and support is available for all residents, covering benefits, debts and employment.

Use our benefits calculator to make sure you are not missing out on any financial support.

A range of support with food is also available; see information about:

• Household Support Fund
• York Financial Assistance Scheme
• Free school meals
• Holiday Activities and Food
• York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme
• York Foodbank
• Community food banks

Household Support Fund

The government has provided additional funding for the Household Support Fund (HSF) for financially vulnerable families. The aim is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.

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York Financial Assistance Scheme

York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) provides emergency food help to local people.

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Free school meals

You may be entitled to apply for free school meals for your children if you receive 1 of the qualifying income-related benefits.

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Holiday Activities and Food

A range of holiday activity schemes will be available for children and young people during the Christmas, Easter and Summer school holidays. Details of events and activities can be found on the Holiday Activities and Food Raise York webpage. The sessions will include a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day. They are being provided to targeted children as part of the government’s expanded Holiday Activities and Food programme which is being delivered across the City of York area.

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York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme

Fuel and food vouchers are available to York residents as part of advice and support services and where people have immediate need.

Services will discuss the best options for people depending on their circumstances. This may be an appointment or referral to another service.

Applications to our York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme are considered as part of the advice and support services; and people will need to provide confirmation of their circumstances.

See details of advice and support services in York.

If people need assistance with food, but do not want to contact a support service, or this is not appropriate, other support is available from:

• York Financial Assistance Scheme
• York Foodbank
• Community food banks

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York Foodbank

York Foodbank work with us, and over 150 agencies (such as Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services, charities, community groups, statutory bodies, schools, the Police, and medical experts) who all can issue Foodbank vouchers.

Once you have a voucher, you can then exchange it at one of the Foodbank locations for a food parcel, specific to your needs.

Food parcels contain 3 days worth of essentials, typically including: breakfast cereals, soup, pasta, rice, pasta sauce, tinned beans, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, tea or coffee, biscuits and snacks.

Each Foodbank has a cafe-style environment and is staffed by non-judgemental people who want to support people, and can offer practical advice and guidance.

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Community food banks

Community food banks are organised by local community groups and offer a variety of support.

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Also see

• Change of circumstances and benefits
• Live Well York