THOUSANDS of hard-up households are in line to receive new cost of living vouchers worth £100.
The cash support comes through the government’s Household Support Fund.
GettyHard-up households in Tower Hamlets can get up to £100 in supermarket vouchers[/caption]
The scheme works by handing councils up and down the country a slice of funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
Each local authority gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.
The voucher or grant amounts vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you
For example, thousands of residents in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are in line to receive £100 supermarket vouchers in the coming weeks.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £500million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
The supermarket vouchers will be issued to families who are eligible for free school meals through schools in the borough.
The vouchers can be spent at Asda or Tesco and will be handed out to parents from schools during March.
There is no need to apply as families will be contacted directly.
Lutfur Rahman, executive mayor of Tower Hamlets said: “We are doing all that we can to help ease the burden of the cost of living crisis. We are continuing our universal free school meals for all pupils in primary and secondary schools saving families hundreds of pounds a year.
“As food costs continue to soar, I hope the supermarket vouchers will come in handy to stock up on essentials.”
Cllr Saied Ahmed, cabinet member for resources and cost of living added: “For some families, the financial pressures are immense and we want to make sure this funding gets to those who need it – some of whom will not be getting any other support.
“Schools will be getting in touch with families direct to distribute the supermarket vouchers over the coming weeks.”
What if I don’t live in Tower Hamlets?
To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.
Once you’ve found your council, there should be information on how to apply on its website.
Each council will have a different application process – so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.
That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary.
Some councils won’t require you to apply for the help and they’ll contact you about it instead if you qualify.
If there’s no information on your council’s website, then it’s best to ring them up and ask for more information.
What other support is available?
If you don’t qualify for the Household Support Fund in your local area you may still be entitled to additional support.
The third instalment of the cost of living support payment hit bank accounts last month.
Those eligible should have received a tax-free payment by February 22 – take action now if you haven’t had yours and think you qualify.
Or, you could qualify for a cold weather payment worth £25.