FAMILIES who are doing it tough can now apply for more free food vouchers under the Household Support Scheme.
Additional help is being offered to people struggling to pay their food, energy and other essential bills.
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The initiative is part of the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) which was extended in the recent budget by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Now Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have launched a voucher scheme to support households in need of assistance.
As funds are limited, people who haven’t turned to the scheme for help before will be prioritised – but councils are accepting second applications too.
Households can access a maximum of two payments in the period between April and 30 September 2022.
The help includes free school meals for eligible children through the holidays – as part of the wider support package across the county.
The Household Support Fund is a scheme set up by the government to help cash-tight Brits with bills and essentials.
The scheme began in October 2021 with a £500million plan to help vulnerable households.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak doubled the scheme to £1billion, and announced in May that a further £500million would be added to the pot.
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Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities at Vale of White Horse District Council, Cllr Helen Pighills, encourages people to take advantage of the scheme.
Cllr Pighills said: “Whether it’s a change in circumstances or the rise in the cost of living that’s causing pressure – we urge people in financial difficulty who have not already received assistance from this fund to apply for the help that’s now available.”
Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at South Oxfordshire District Council said financial issues can affect us at very different times in life.
She said: “Struggling to afford to pay the bills is a reality for many, and we want residents to access this help for that very reason.”
How can I claim £150 in vouchers?
The scheme is available to anyone facing financial hardship for assistance with their food, energy bills and essential living costs.
There is no requirement that residents must be employed or must be unemployed and funds are not restricted to people receiving benefits.
The amount you can get, how you get it and who is eligible can vary depending on where you live.
Most people will be able to apply to receive support from the Household Support Fund by contacting your local council.
For example, Derbyshire Council is offering payments worth £64 per household plus an extra £20 will be provided for each partner or spouse and each dependent child aged under 19.
In Medway, residents can claim up to £210 in vouchers.
Vouchers can be redeemed at any of these supermarket chains:
- Aldi
- Tesco
- Asda
- Farm Foods
- Iceland
- Marks & Spencer
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury’s
- Waitrose
You’ll be able to use your vouchers in store, although you can use them online for some supermarkets.
To find out whether you’re eligible for the Household Support Fund, you can use your council’s online checker.
