Thousands of households can get double £100 vouchers to help with grocery bills – exact dates for payments
THOUSANDS of households can get two £100 voucher payments to help with grocery bills.
The support is provided through the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme, which has been extended until September 2024.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
Households could get supermarket vouchers or cash grants worth £100s.
But the exact amount you can get will depend on where you live, so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
Some councils will make payouts automatically and others will require you to fill in an application form.
For example, thousands of residents in the London Borough of Ealing are in line to receive two £100 supermarket vouchers in the coming weeks.
One supermarket voucher will be issued to all care leavers in May and another in July.
Families eligible for benefits related free school meals will also get supermarket vouchers.
These families will receive a £15 voucher per child in May and £90 voucher per child in July
The same goes for families with children under the age of five, who get housing benefit and or council tax reduction.
There is no need to apply, as families will be contacted directly.
All payments will be made using supermarket vouchers provided by the council’s partner, Blackhawk.
If you are eligible, you do not need to apply for the vouchers.
Eligible families will receive either an email or letter from Blackhawk with a 16-digit, personalised code and instructions to redeem the vouchers via www.ealingcouncil.select-your-reward.co.uk.
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.
What if I don’t live in Ealing?
To get help, you’ll need to check with your council, as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
To find your local council, visit www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
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 don’t require you to apply for help and if you qualify, they’ll contact you about it instead.
If your council’s website does not provide information, it’s best to call them and ask for more information.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.