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THOUSANDS of pensioners can get free supermarket vouchers worth £125 to help cover soaring food costs.
The government has released new funding for local councils to dish out to hard-up residents under the Household Support Fund (HSF).
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Under the scheme, those who live in Staffordshire, claim state pension and qualify for a council tax reduction, are eligible for the vouchers.
Staffordshire County Council is contacting the 21,000 eligible households.
Once claimed, the vouchers can be used at most major supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury’s.
The county council said the vouchers can also be split between supermarkets.
The government announced that a new £421million pot of cash for the HSF will be available from October this year until March next year.
It will replace the current pot of funding which ran out on September 30.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
Councils which have a higher percentage of struggling families than others will get more cash, because of the demand.
It is then up to the local authorities to decide how they will distribute the cash.
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Usually, you have to be in receipt of a council tax reduction, or prove you’re in financial difficulty, to get the help.
You’ll need to ask your local authority for more information on how to apply, because each one will have a different application process.
For example, Nottinghamshire Council Council is to dish out a total of £2 million to households with children in receipt of free school meals.
In Wolverhampton, eligible households will get £25 per adult a week and an additional £15 for each child for food.
Meanwhile, in Kent, low income households, and those receiving means-tested benefits, can get £150 worth of energy vouchers and supermarket vouchers to the value of £150.
To see what help is on offer in your area, contact your local council – you can find out who yours is by using the gov.uk authority tool checker.
What other help can I get?
There’s plenty of other help on offer if you’re not eligible for help through the Household Support Fund.
Energy companies offer hardship funds, for example you can get £750 from British Gas if you’re a customer.
Households on pension credit or low incomes may qualify for the warm home discount scheme worth £150.
It’s worth checking if you can get help with your food bills.
If you’re pregnant or have a child under the age of four then you may qualify for Healthy Start vouchers to help pay for basic foods such as milk or fruit.
You can apply for free school meals for your child if you’re claiming certain benefits including Universal Credit.
If your Universal Credit payment is not enough to cover your rent, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
This will give you extra money if your council decides you need help to meet your housing costs. You don’t need to repay a DHP.
