HOUSEHOLDS struggling with the cost of living are in line for supermarket vouchers worth up to £180.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is worth £421 million.
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The pot of money has come from the government and has been shared between local councils.
Local authorities then decide how they want to distribute the cash and who to.
That means what you are entitled to and whether you are eligible depends on where you live.
But, in most cases, the money is handed to those on a low income or benefits.
In Plymouth, the city council is offering eligible residents £180 supermarket vouchers, £147 energy vouchers, white goods and household furniture.
Households can only apply for the funds if they did not access help through the HSF between July 6, 2022, and January 22, 2023 though.
Only one application can be made per household, plus you must fall into one of the following categories:
- households with at least one child under 18 who lives in the property on a permanent basis
- households where someone has a disability or a long term health condition
- households where someone has reached pension age
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But you’ll have to be quick if you want to get help, as applications are open until March 20, or until the maximum number has been reached.
The help is being distributed via Citizens Advice Plymouth, and you can apply on its website.
Anyone who needs help with their application should call Citizens Advice Plymouth’s Household Support Fund team on 01752 982889.
Plymouth City Council said the support is not suitable for emergency purposes as applications will take time to process.
What support is on offer?
Plymouth is offering a range of support through its latest tranche of HSF.
Households can apply for £180 supermarket vouchers that can be used at Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi or Iceland.
They can also get £147 in top up vouchers for pre-payment meters, or a £150 credit voucher if they have a smart meter.
They can get white goods too. This includes having appliances delivered and installed and old appliances removed.
Eligible families can apply for household items, furniture and clothes vouchers too.
Can I get help if I don’t live in Plymouth?
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.
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.
You just have to enter your postcode.
Be aware though, the fund might have closed in your local area if the council has allocated all its share.
