THOUSANDS of families have just a week left to redeem £325 supermarket vouchers before they expire.
The cash vouchers are provided through the Household Support Fund worth £421million.
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The scheme was first established last year, extended for the second time in the March budget and for a third time 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.
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.
Thousands of residents in North Yorkshire will have received electronic vouchers to help pay for food and other essentials at supermarkets.
But households have just a week left to redeem vouchers worth up to £325 free supermarket vouchers.
Eligibility requirements for the scheme vary depending on where you live – so check directly with your council if you could get the cash help.
In North Yorkshire, those receiving housing benefit on or between August 26 2022, and September 25 2022, that did not qualify for the second cost of living payment for people on low-income benefits or tax credits, should have received a single electronic voucher worth £325.
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The second cost of living payment was paid in November to people getting Universal Credit, income support, pension credit, income-based jobseekers allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, child tax credit and working tax credit.
And those getting the maximum discount to pay their council tax bill through the means-tested council tax reduction scheme as of November 30 2022, should have received a single electronic voucher worth £85.
Those living in North Yorkshire do not need to apply for the cash help.
Anyone eligible was sent a letter by January, 16.
The letter will contain all the information needed about how to claim and use the electronic vouchers.
The e-vouchers need to be redeemed ahead of the deadline of 15 February – but you’ll be able to spend the value on them after this date.
To redeem the voucher, you’ll need to visit the North Yorkshire Council website and enter your voucher code in an online form.
Residents of North Yorkshire are able to spend the value of these vouchers at supermarkets, including Aldi, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
And some supermarkets also accept them when shopping online as well as in-store, and you can check the full list on North Yorkshire’s website.
What other support is available?
As part of the Autumn Statement, it was revealed millions on benefits and Universal Credit will receive an extra one-off £900.
Eight million households currently get cost-of-living payments worth up to £650, but eligibility criteria could change under any new rules.
Pensioners have also started getting a £300 one-off payment.
The current pensioner cost of living payment is being handed out to millions on a low income.
You qualify under the current rules if you normally get the winter fuel payment, but this could change under the new rules.
The £300 cost of living payment is paid on top of the other winter support.
You’ll need to be:
- born on or before 25 September 1956
- have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”
Struggling families are eligible for the Warm House Discount to help them tackle the cost of living.
The scheme is where eligible households can get £150 off their electricity bill each winter – but you’ll have to wait until the colder months to get the money off.
Households in England and Wales don’t need to apply to get the cash and they’ll automatically qualify if they are receiving certain benefits.
You can read more about who’s eligible here.
There are also plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling:
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
There’s also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment meter.
