THOUSANDS of hard-up families can get free supermarket vouchers – here’s how to claim.
The vouchers come as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) worth £421million.
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The scheme was first established last year, extended in the March budget and extended again in November to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
As part of the support some councils offer supermarket vouchers.
The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.
For example, Bracknell Forest Council is offering adult residents up to £300 in vouchers if they are receiving either:
- income based council tax reduction
- housing benefit
It was also offering children a £30 voucher in December and then a £15 voucher in February.
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We’ve listed 26 councils that we know are offering supermarket vouchers for struggling households.
If your council isn’t mentioned, this doesn’t mean it isn’t offering the vouchers so do contact them to check.
What councils are offering supermarket vouchers and how much can I get?
- Aberdeenshire Council – amount dependant on claimant’s circumstances
- Adur and Worthing Borough Council – up to £75
- Amber Valley Borough Council – up to £128
- Angus Council – amount dependant on claimant’s circumstances
- Arun District Council – up to £75
- Basildon Borough Council – up to £80
- Blaby District Council – up to £98
- Bracknell Forest Council – up to £300
- Braintree District Council – up to £80
- Breckland District Council – up to £120
- Brentwood Borough Council – up to £80
- Bridgend County Borough Council – up to £200
- Bristol City Council – amount TBC
- Cambridgeshire County Council – up to £30
- Castle Point Borough Council – up to £80
- Chelmsford City Council – up to £80
- Colchester City Council – up to £80
- Derbyshire County Council – up to £120
- Epping Forest District Council – up to £80
- Essex County Council- up to £80
- Harlow Council – up to £80
- Maldon District Council – up to £80
- Rochford District Council – up to £80
- Tendring District Council – up to £80
- Uttlesford District Council – up to £80
Who is eligible for supermarket vouchers?
Eligibility criteria varies depending on the rules your local council has set.
For example, to be considered for a voucher from Derbyshire County Council you must:
- Have a child who received benefit related free school meals between September 1 and December 22
- A child in an early years setting (nursery or pre-school) who received free childcare for two-year-old
- A child who received the early years premium for three or four-year-olds between September 1 and December 22
- Be a care leaver aged up to 21 and living independent
While those whose local council is Aberdeenshire Council’s district must be aged 16 or over and should normally be entitled to or receiving:
- Income Support
- Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Savings Pension Credit
- Guaranteed Pension Credit
- A payment in respect of one of the above benefits whilst the claim is being processed
Of course, this will vary depending on your local council and it’s always worth checking to see if you qualify.
Can I get help if I my council isn’t listed?
Yes you can. The HSF is a central pot of money which has been shared between local councils.
But each local authority is distributing the cash differently and eligibility varies depending on the area.
Thousands of parents in Derbyshire can get £120 supermarket vouchers, for example.
Plus, thousands more in North Yorkshire are due electronic supermarket vouchers worth up to £325.
Plus thousands of residents in Plymouth are due electronic vouchers to help pay for food and other essentials at supermarkets.
How you get access to the money varies depending on where you live too.
You might have to apply directly to the council or they might contact you.
Either way, if you think you could be eligible for help, if you are on a low income or certain benefits for example, you should contact your council to see what they are offering.
You can find your local council by using the government’s “find your local council” tool.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
