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Thousands of struggling families to be given £315 in supermarket vouchers within weeks – check if you’re one
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THOUSANDS of households can claim up to £315 of free supermarket vouchers to help with the rising cost of living.
The support is being provided by councils and is funded through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
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The HSF was first introduced in October 2021 and has since been extended five times by the government.
The latest round of funding is worth £421million to councils in England.
Each council is allocated a different portion of the fund and it is therefore up to them to decide how they will distribute the fund to those most in need.
If 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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Stockport Council is giving out vouchers worth £105 to families struggling to pay for essentials.
The fund is paid per child, so if you have three children you would be entitled to £315 worth of supermarket vouchers.
The council said its: “Family Support Voucher scheme is open to eligible families, which include those with children receiving Free School Meals (FSM), early years and Post-16 equivalent, and those (with children) in receipt of Local Council Tax Support and/or Housing Benefit.”
Eligible families will receive a £105 voucher per child, to help with the cost of essentials.
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Councillor Jilly Julian, cabinet member for finance and resources said: “The family support vouchers will be distributed before the end of July, providing vital support to those who are eligible.
“We hope they will reduce some of the financial pressures that many face over the summer, such as navigating the school holiday and buying uniforms for the coming year.”
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All vouchers will be distributed in late July. Vouchers for children who receive free school meals will be sent via email if the Council has an email address for the eligible family.
Families with children eligible for vouchers through Local Council Tax Support and/or Housing Benefit from Stockport Council will receive vouchers via post.
Additionally, residents facing financial crises can call the council’s dedicated cost of living adviceline to access a range of support, which may include referrals to food banks, aid with gas and electricity costs, and assistance with Council Tax or rent support.
For more information about the range of support available visit the council’s cost of living web pages.
Stockports Holiday Activity Fund programme will start back again this summer which is also provided by the Household Support Fund.
Last year it supported close to 2,500 children on income-based free school meals in Stockport with access-funded holiday club spaces.
Activities range from sports to baking, media workshops to silent discos, there will be something interesting for all.
There will be SEND specialist providers delivering clubs, youth organisations offering clubs for teens, VCSFE sector organisations, childcare providers and sports clubs, giving children as much variety as possible.
More information on specific conditions for each element of the scheme is available at //www.stockport.gov.uk/view-your-benefits-information.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £500million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
Can I get help if I don't live in Stockport?
Yes, but the help available to you will depend on where you live.
Each council is distributing their share of the HSF differently.
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.
The HSF was recently extended in the Government's Spring Budget until September and some councils have already opened for applications.
For example, Wakefield is handing out £75 supermarket vouchers to low-income pensioners families and disabled residents.
Warrington Borough Council is hanging out a £90 payment for households with children in receipt of free school meals, or claiming eligible benefits.
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You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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