THOUSANDS of households can apply for £150 free cash to spend at supermarkets from tomorrow.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £842million.
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The central pot of money has come from Government and been shared across councils in England, they will distribute their share to residents in need.
That means what you are entitled to varies depending on where you live, although in most cases help is being offered to those on a low income or benefits such as Universal Credit.
Some local authorities are making bank transfers while others are offering help in the way of food or utility bill vouchers.
Nottingham, Torbay, and West Northamptonshire have all had application periods open this side of Christmas.
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Dorset residents are going to be able to claim £150 supermarket vouchers from tomorrow, December 5.
The vouchers are being distributed by the Dorset Citizens Advice branch but you can also apply via the Dorset Council website.
Once all the vouchers have been allotted for each window it will close so you’ll want to be quick.
It’s worth bearing in mind, you can’t apply for the vouchers within six months of previously having done so.
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The vouchers can be spent at a number of supermarkets. Here is the full list:
You have to be living in Dorset to claim help. You also have to have:
- an annual household net income of less than £30,000 and
- savings of less than £16,000 and
- can’t have applied for help via the HSF in the last six months
Any money you receive from certain benefits will not be included in your net income calculation. They are:
- Personal Independence Payments
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Child Benefit
When it comes to applying you’ll need some ID documents to hand, such as your birth certificate, driving licence, passport and council tax bill.
You apply for the vouchers online. If you need help with your application you can call the Dorset Council customer service team on 01305 221000 or email [email protected].
Alternatively, you can call the Citizens Advice Dorset branch on 0800 144 8848.
Who else can get help?
You can still get help if you don’t live in the areas mentioned above.
In most cases, if you’re on benefits like Universal Credit or Income Support, you’ll be in line for help via the HSF.
But you should contact your local council to see what is on offer.
If you don’t know what local authority area you fall under, you can use the government’s locator tool on its website.
You just have to type in your postcode and it will bring up your local council.
What other help is coming?
There’s other financial help at hand beyond the Household Support Fund.
Millions of pensioners are in line for a bumper Winter Fuel Payment over the colder months.
The cash boost started being distributed from November 1 and all should be made by the end of December.
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You qualify for the payment if you were born on or before September 25, 1957, and lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 18 to 24 September 2023, known as the qualifying week.
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