Central Bedfordshire Council is offering the support as part of the Household Support Fund scheme, which is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions
Thousands of families who claim free school meals will get supermarket vouchers from their local council this February half term.
Central Bedfordshire Council is offering the support as part of the Household Support Fund scheme, which is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Household Support Fund is a scheme that allows local councils to award specific help to residents who are on low incomes, or behind on bills.
Each council decides what support to give, and who is eligible for it. For example, you may be awarded cash payments that don’t need to be paid back, or vouchers for food or energy. Central Bedfordshire Council is awarding supermarket vouchers worth £17.50 this February half term to children who attend a Central Bedfordshire School and receive free school meals.
You should receive a text or email that will give you instructions on how to choose a supermarket for the voucher. You’ll also receive a supermarket voucher if you receive free childcare for a child aged two and you claim benefits, or if you’re a young adult aged between 18 and 25 years old who has previously spent time in care.
Supermarket vouchers were previously awarded by Central Bedfordshire Council for the October and Christmas half terms. The Household Support Fund was due to end on September 30, 2024 but it has been extended for an additional six months, until March 31, 2025, after another £421million was allocated to the scheme.
If you’re not a Bedfordshire resident, it is worth checking the website of your local council to see what help it could potentially offer you. For example, people living in Solihull can get free help worth £500 to pay off water and energy debts.
You need to have a combined annual household income of under £31,000, have no household savings, except for if you’re a pensioner, then you can have up to £5,000 in savings. You must have someone living in the household with a vulnerability and be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
Rotherham residents can get £250 support this winter. To qualify, you must have no more than £150 remaining each month after covering essential expenses like food, rent or mortgage, and utility bills. The funding is not means-tested but only one application can be made per household.
Blackpool Council will be giving payments of up to £300 to households who are struggling to cover energy or water costs. The money will be paid directly to your supplier and will appear as a credit on your bill or prepay meter. Check your local council to see what support you may be entitled to.
