THOUSANDS of struggling families could get up to £600 of vouchers to spend at supermarkets including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s this Christmas.
Feeding the family at Christmas can be financially challenging but support is available to those worried about costs through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
Families can access hundreds of pounds of support ahead of the big Christmas shop[/caption]
The HSF offers help to the most hard-up households and has been extended several times since it was introduced by Government in 2021.
Funding is given to local councils to distribute, so the support available varies across the country.
But, families may be in line to receive vouchers to help with groceries and other essential costs during the Christmas holiday.
Levels of support vary depending on local council and personal situation, so it’s worth checking your council’s website to ensure you receive all the help available.
If you have children who receive free school meals you’re likely to receive help automatically outside of term time, but those without school-age children may have to apply.
Cambridgeshire County Council automatically gives households receiving free school meals supermarket vouchers worth £15 per child, per week.
Those struggling financially, without children in receipt of free school meal vouchers, can also apply for a financial award of £110 per household.
This can be paid as a supermarket voucher, energy voucher or as a cash payment via BACS or a paypoint cashout voucher.
Ealing Council in London offers families with children receiving free school meals £30 of supermarket vouchers during the Christmas break.
The council will also be giving care leavers supermarket vouchers worth £100.
Those living in Norfolk with children receiving free school meals will receive a £15 monthly payment, as well as an additional £30 December payment.
In Cheshire West and Chester families eligible for free school meals receive £20 a week for the two-week school break.
Meanwhile in Richmond families struggling financially can apply for grants, which are paid as either a BACS payment or supermarket vouchers.
The council pays out up to £300 to adult households, up to £500 for those with one child and up to £600 for those with two or more children.
In Bedfordshire each child receiving free school meals will be entitled to a £35 supermarket voucher for the Christmas break.
Meanwhile in Nottinghamshire, families receiving either free school meals or Pension Credit can apply for support of £110 per household.
Support is also available from councils including Suffolk, Surrey, the London borough of Barnet and Hertfordshire.
Every council will have received funding from the HSF so if you’re worried about making ends meet ahead of the holidays, check your local council’s website for further details.
In most cases vouchers will be sent automatically to families in receipt of free school meals, via email or through their child’s school.
But if you’re unsure you’re eligible or haven’t received support during previous school holidays check with your local council.
Even if you don’t have children receiving free school meals you might be eligible for support this Christmas.
To find your local council, use the government’s council locator tool.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first set up in October 2021 and has been extended six times.
Councils in England have benefited from the latest round of funding which amounts to £421million.
Nationwide councils have received a portion of the cash to distribute to households in need.
But there is a postcode lottery to determine who qualifies and each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.
Yet, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, or are deemed to be vulnerable or on benefits, you will probably qualify for help.
The Government’s latest extension will see the scheme run until April 2025.
What support is available?
The support provided varies from council to council, so its worth checking the schemes your local council has in place to make sure you receive all the assistance available.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
You don’t need to worry about additional support impacting existing benefits, as these will be unaffected by payments from the HSF.
And, you do not need necessarily need to be in receipt of benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
How do you apply?
To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application process.
Many councils won’t actually require you to apply for the help and will contact you about it, if you’re eligible.
As well as supermarket vouchers, you could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to help with water bills.
If there’s no information on your council’s website, then it’s best to ring them up and ask for more information.
How to save cash on your food shop
Money saving experts at HSBC UK have revealed their top tips to saving cash on your food shop.
1. Set a budget
Creating a budget will help to stretch your budget. Start by working out how much you spent on food over the last three months, then each month you get paid, set aside a certain amount for food.
2. Plan your meals
Make a list of your main meals for the coming week, including the ingredients you need, and stick to it. Don’t get drawn into offers for things that you don’t need. If you already have some food leftover from the week before, try to see what you can do with that first.
3. Think about when and where you shop
It’s best to shop on a full stomach so you don’t get tempted. Shopping less often can help you to think about what you buy and it may help you to stick to your budget.
4. Go online
Shopping online is a good and easy way to manage your budget. It can also help to track expenses, whilst also preventing impulse buys.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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