THOUSANDS of households can get £60 of free supermarket vouchers to spend on food and essentials.
The help will be dished out under a new round of £421million funding given by the government to the Household Support Fund.
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Councils have been given a slice of the new pot of funding on offer, which will be given out to struggling residents to help pay for bills and essentials.
Cash-strapped households in the North Somerset Council catchment area can get £60 to put towards food and essentials.
To be eligible, you must be a care leaver – any adult who has spent time in care – or have a child who receives free school meals.
The vouchers will be paid in one instalment in January.
Around 4,800 people in the area will be eligible and the scheme will cost around £292K.
We’ve asked the council whether eligible households will receive the payment automatically.
We will update this story when we have more information.
It’s best to check in with North Somerset Council to get more information about the scheme and if you are eligible.
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Make sure you have information to hand about your financial situation, like any payslips or benefit payments you get.
Can I get support if I don’t live in the area?
Yes – councils across the UK have their own Household Support Fund struggling households can apply to.
For example, Torbay Council is giving eligible cash-strapped residents a maximum of £50 towards food, and where necessary, another £50 towards energy bills.
In Coventry, households can claim a one-off supermarket voucher worth £36.
Meanwhile, in Kensington and Chelsea residents can grab up to £150 to help cover household bills, food and clothing.
How do I apply for the help?
Each council will have a different application process.
That means you should check in with your local council to see how to apply for the help in your area.
Check who your local council is using the gov.uk authority checker tool.
Those eligible for help may get it automatically but others have to apply – check with your council to see.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
There are also three areas giving out EXTRA cost of living support and here’s how to claim it.
