Households residing in a particular region of the UK are set to receive supermarket vouchers valued at £70 to alleviate living expenses. The initiative is part of the Household Support Fund, overseen by Wakefield Council. Each council administers its version of the fund, providing aid such as energy support, supermarket vouchers, and cash grants.
The distribution of food vouchers by Wakefield Council targets low-income households receiving council tax assistance. Pensioners benefiting from Council Tax Support have already received a £70 voucher in November, with additional vouchers scheduled for other eligible households.
Starting December 3 and running through December 12, households receiving Council Tax Support will receive £70 vouchers, while those on Council Tax Support will receive £50 vouchers from December 15. Eligible recipients do not need to apply for the vouchers, as they will be automatically dispatched within 14 days of the specified dates. Residents are advised to remain vigilant against potential scammers.
For non-Wakefield residents, it is advisable to explore the support available through their local council’s Household Support Fund. For instance, Blackpool Council is offering £200 in energy support to qualifying households, with larger families of three or more members, including children, eligible for £300.
Claimants must demonstrate financial hardship and challenges in bill payments to access the support. There is no prerequisite of Universal Credit or other benefits to apply for the fund, but only one award can be claimed within a year. The assistance is disbursed directly to energy providers and reflected as a credit on bills or pre-payment meters. Applications can be submitted through the Blackpool Council website.
Meanwhile, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is issuing £120 worth of vouchers to eligible residents. Working-age households receiving Council Tax Reduction were provided with two £60 vouchers each in late November, with a similar distribution planned for pensioner households in early January. Additionally, one-off payments of £120 are available for low-income residents facing energy bill payments and not receiving Council Tax Reduction support.