Families struggling with rising costs can access £200 vouchers for major supermarkets
The main program is called the Household Support Fund. It’s designed to help with essential costs like energy, water, and food. Each council runs its own scheme, so the support can vary by area.
Families can also get food vouchers during school holidays. This fund is for anyone who’s struggling, not just those on benefits. Payments will continue until March or until the funds run out.
You don’t need to be on benefits to get help. Last October, the government added £421 million to this fund, but how much you get depends on where you live.
Local councils decide how to distribute the funds. Some might work with charities, while others limit applications to one per household each year.
To find out what’s available, check with your local council. For instance, Cambridgeshire County Council offers £110 per household. You can choose to receive it all at once or split it into different vouchers.
These can be Paypoint vouchers sent to your phone or supermarket vouchers for places like Asda and Morrisons. Kent County Council has a similar scheme, offering £100 vouchers for food or energy.
Some councils have even more to give. Rotherham Council is providing £250 grants, while Newcastle has received £2.9 million. Sandwell Council has over £3.4 million to help families until March 2025.
They’re giving £200 payments to nearly 4,000 low-income pensioners who don’t get a Winter Fuel Payment. Eligible households will receive a letter by the end of December, which they can cash at a Post Office.
