THOUSANDS of families can apply for a £50 supermarket voucher that can be put towards buying food as the cost of living bites.
It’s part of the Household Support Fund, designed to help struggling families pay for essential costs this winter.
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One council has reopened applications for a version of its grant – and they’ve made it even easier for families to receive their money.
The vouchers will be sent to applicants via text message, within three days of completing the online form.
In the big picture, the £500million scheme has been handed out to different councils across the UK, and they’ve been left with the task of deciding how to use the funds.
The cash is supposed to support households who are struggling to pay for food or bills.
It comes as welcome help just as bills and more rocket for families.
Energy bills are due to rise a record £693 in April, as the energy price cap, in place to stop households from overpaying on their bills, is will escalate to £1,971 a year by the springtime.
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On top of the imminent hikes, many have been struck by soaring food costs, and there are tax increases and other bill rises to come too.
The rises are largely out of government control, especially as global demand is to blame for rising energy costs, as well as restrictions on imports from Russia.
But it’s still left some Brits having to make the stark choice between heating and eating as a result.
Councils are stepping in, however, to help lower the blow of that decision with supermarket vouchers and more.
The support that’s available varies between councils, so you’ll need to check with your local authority what help is available in the region you live in.
But Nottingham City Council is one example of councils offering extra support to residents this winter.
Live in the area and you can apply for £50 supermarket vouchers, which work at Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, M&S Food, McColl’s, and Aldi.
You apply online, offering up personal details like your name and address, and of course your telephone number – as the vouchers are being sent to families by text in just a matter of days.
Nottingham City Council reveals on its website that eligible and successful applications will be sent a £50 eVoucher within three working days by text message.
You’ll be sent a link to see an eGift card with a barcode online which you then present at the till in a store.
It’s the second round of supermarket vouchers offered by the council after it provided the same support before Christmas too.
And other councils have been offering support of their own over the harsh months.
Herefordshire council for example has been dishing out one-off £60 payments to residents in the area to help with the cost of living.
Meanwhile, Ealing Council is offering its own £25 supermarket vouchers for hard-up families.
But you have to be quick to cash-in on any of the support as many of the cash offerings have a deadline of March 31 – fail to sign up before then and you could miss out.
It’s not the only support out there for struggling households either.
Households can get up to £800 to help with energy bills this winter which includes the £200 energy rebate and more.
Plus those still struggling on the food side, don’t have long left to apply for the £442 worth of help that comes from The Healthy Food Start vouchers.
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