HELPING HAND
Thousands of struggling families handed £75 in supermarket vouchers from next week – check if you’re one of them
Families could be entitled to support with grocery costs during the school holidays
THOUSANDS of struggling families will be eligible for supermarket vouchers to support them through the school holidays from next week.
The vouchers, which can be used in major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, will be handed out from the Household Support Fund (HSF).
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The HSF offers help to the most hard-up households and has been extended several times since it was introduced by Government in 2021.
Funding is given to local councils to distribute, so the support available varies across the country.
But, families with children receiving free school meals may be in line to receive vouchers to help with grocery and other essential costs during the May half term and summer holiday.
Levels of support vary depending on local council and personal situation, so it's worth checking your council's website to ensure you receive all the help available.
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In Hertfordshire families receiving benefit-related free school meals will receive a £15 voucher in the May half term and a £60 voucher in the summer holidays.
In Norfolk families in receipt of free school meals are eligible for a monthly voucher of £15 per child, with an additional payment of £15 given during July and August.
Across Cambridgeshire as well as Cheshire and West Chester families will receive £15 per week for every pupil who receives free school meals during the school holidays.
Vouchers are also available in areas including Kent, Richmond, Worcestershire, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Surrey and Nottinghamshire.
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Every council will have received funding from the HSF so if you're worried about making ends meet ahead of the holidays, check your local council's website for further details.
In most cases vouchers will be sent automatically to families in receipt of free school meals, via email or through their child's school.
But if you're unsure you're eligible or haven't received support during previous school holidays check with your local council.
To find your local council, use the Government's tool.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times, to September 2024.
The latest round of funding is worth £421million to councils in England.
Who qualifies and the level of support given is a postcode lottery, as each local authority can set its own criteria for distributing the funds.
However, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, you will likely qualify for help.
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What support is available
The support provided varies from council to council, so its worth checking the schemes your local council has in place to make sure you receive all the assistance available.
For example, in Hertfordshire funds have also been made available to support households on low incomes facing immediate financial crisis, provide help with energy costs and support food banks.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's tool on its website.
You don't need to worry about additional support impacting existing benefits, as these will be unaffected by payments from the HSF.
And, you do not need necessarily need to be in receipt of benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
How do you apply?
To get the help, you'll need to check with your council - as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council's website. Each council will have a different application process.
Many councils won't actually require you to apply for the help and will contact you about it, or issue vouchers via email or your child's school.
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As well as supermarket vouchers, you could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to help with water bills.
If there's no information on your council's website, then it's best to ring them up and ask for more information.
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching ";finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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