HARD-UP families can apply for vouchers to help pay for food and other essentials, and they can be spent at supermarkets and high street stores.
Councils are handing out coupons to struggling families as part of the £500million household support fund – we explain where you can cash them in.
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The level of support available differs across the country, and so does the list of shops where you can exchange your vouchers.
For example, households in North Yorkshire can apply for up to £275 to spend on food at shops including Aldi, Asda and Tesco.
In Barnsley, eligible families can spend their vouchers in major supermarkets including Morrisons, as well as stores such as Argos and Halfords.
Other councils are giving out food vouchers but haven’t specified which supermarkets will accept them – for example Durham Council is allocating families £60 to buy meals.
In Elmbridge, Surrey, residents will get a £100 bank transfer and so there are no restrictions on where the money can be spent.
For a full list of where you can spend the coupons you should contact your local council.
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Meanwhile, other local authorities are allocating the money to households who need help with bills.
North Northamptonshire residents can get £120 to put towards energy costs, for example.
Eligibility also varies from council to council, so you will need to check what your local council is offering.
Many require you to already claiming benefits such as Universal credit in order to qualify.
You can find your local authority using the council checker tool on the government’s website.
For most councils, the funding runs up until March 31.
Which shops are accepting household support fund vouchers?
Each council area has different rules on where the vouchers can be redeemed.
However, some have specified that the coupons can be spent with major grocers and other retailers selling essential goods.
These are the stores that have been mentioned by councils so far, but you should check which shops are accepting vouchers in your area:
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Aldi
- Asda
- Morrisons
- M&S
- Waitrose
- B&Q
- Argos
- Curry’s
- Halfords
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