Households in a specific area of the UK are receiving £70 supermarket vouchers to assist with living expenses. Wakefield Council is distributing these vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund initiative. Each council administers its own version of the fund, offering various forms of assistance such as energy support, supermarket vouchers, and cash grants.
The vouchers are being provided to low-income households receiving council tax support. Pensioners who are eligible for Council Tax Support have already received a £70 voucher in November, with additional vouchers planned for other eligible households.
Starting from December 15, families receiving Council Tax Support will receive a £50 voucher, while all other eligible households will receive a £70 voucher between December 3 and December 12. Eligible recipients do not need to apply for the vouchers as they will be sent automatically within 14 days of the specified dates. Residents are advised by Wakefield Council to be cautious of potential scammers.
If you reside outside Wakefield, it is advisable to check with your local council regarding the support available through the Household Support Fund. For instance, Blackpool Council is granting £200 in energy assistance to eligible households of one or two individuals, including children, and £300 to qualifying households of three or more individuals, including children.
To access the support, individuals must demonstrate financial hardship and difficulties in paying bills, providing recent bank statements for all household members. Applicants do not need to be receiving Universal Credit or other benefits to qualify for the fund, but only one award can be claimed within a 12-month period.
The payment is directly made to the energy provider and reflected as a credit on the bill or pre-payment gas or electric meter. Applications can be submitted through the Blackpool Council website.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is also offering free £120 vouchers to eligible residents. Working-age households receiving Council Tax Reduction recently received two £60 vouchers each, with a similar distribution planned for pensioner households in January. Additionally, one-time £120 payments are available to low-income residents paying energy bills and not receiving Council Tax Reduction.