THOUSANDS of families can get up to £150 in supermarket vouchers for free.
The cost of living crisis has forced everyone to tighten their purse strings.
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But those on a low-income could get extra help – and it doesn’t need to be paid back.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842million.
The money has come from the Government which has distributed it among councils in England.
They then decide how to share their portion of the fund.
That means what you can get depends on where you live, but in most cases help is offered to those on a low income or benefits.
The type of support on offer varies as well – some local authorities are offering out food or utility bill vouchers while others are making bank transfers.
For example, families in Portsmouth can get £150 per child in supermarket vouchers.
Those eligible will get £70 over the summer and then another £80 at the end of this year.
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If your child is in between reception and year 11 will be given their vouchers automatically by their schools.
This also includes kids due to start school this September, you do not need to apply.
However, to qualify you must be registered for benefits-related free school meals by June 30.
If you aren’t registered then you’ll need to apply for the vouchers online later this year via the Portsmouth Council website.
The application scheme will open in August once schools have sent vouchers out to families who are already on the system.
You can register your interest now via the Portsmouth Council website and you’ll be notified once the scheme has opened.
Help with energy costs
Portsmouth Council is also offering £150 free cash to support struggling households with energy costs.
You’ll be eligible if you’re below state pension age and on disability living allowance or personal independence payments.
The scheme is not open yet but again, you can register via the Portsmouth Council website now and you’ll be emailed when it does open.
Can I get help if I don’t live in Portsmouth?
Yes, but the help available to you will depend on where you live.
Each council is distributing their share of the HSF differently.
Some are handing out vouchers, while others are making bank transfers to eligible residents.
The amount you are entitled to will vary depending on the area you live in too.
If you’re not sure which council is in charge of your area, you can tap your postcode into the government’s local council checker tool to find out.
The most common types of support provided each year are supermarket vouchers, fuel vouchers and one-off payments.
Bear in mind that many councils haven’t opened the application process for the next round of funding yet, so keep an eye out.
Who is eligible for the DWP cost of living payment?
A separate £900 cost of living payment for those on certain benefits is being paid out over the course of the year.
The payment is available for those who receive any of the following:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
The first payment, worth £301, was paid between April and May.
The second instalment, worth £300, will be paid in autumn.
Spring next year will see the final chunk of the £900 cost of living payment dished out – it is worth £299.
We don’t know have an exact date for when the second and third payments will be made.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has it said it’ll provide more information on exact dates nearer the time.
You can check the full list of cost of living payments available on the government website.
What other help is out there?
Council tax discount
Many people don’t realise they can get a cheaper council tax bill.
There are a number of discounts you could get, depending on your circumstances.
To apply for any of the below discounts, go through the government website.
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
Grants and hardship funds
You can get a grant from your energy supplier if you’re really struggling and need help paying off debts.
Scottish Power, for example, gives up to £750 per household to the most hard-up households.
Most hardship funds have no deadline and you can apply all year round.
There is no specific eligibility criteria, but most customers who get help are in arrears on their bill.
Healthy Start Vouchers
Healthy start vouchers can help you cover the cost of fresh food and drink for your kids.
If you’re on a low income, the scheme could be worth as much as £442 a year.
Each healthy start voucher is currently worth £4.25 a week, and over a year that adds up to £221.
It’s worth double that if you have a child under the age of one as you’ll be eligible for two vouchers each week, which makes up the £442 maximum.
There used to be paper vouchers, but that has been replaced by a prepaid card, so you’ll get the amounts added to that instead automatically every four weeks.
Meanwhile, those struggling can apply for a range of schemes that provide free cash, vouchers and more and you could get thousands of pounds – see our full list.
Plus, here is the full list of benefits that don’t qualify for the cost of living payments.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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