Households in a specific region 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 unique version of the fund, offering various forms of assistance such as energy support, supermarket vouchers, and cash grants.
The vouchers are being given to low-income households receiving council tax support in Wakefield. Pensioners who qualify for Council Tax Support have already received a £70 voucher in November, with additional vouchers planned for other eligible households.
Starting on 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 will receive the vouchers automatically without needing to apply, within 14 days from the specified dates. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential scammers.
Residents outside Wakefield are encouraged to explore the support available through their local council’s Household Support Fund. For instance, Blackpool Council is providing £200 in energy support to eligible households, with larger households of three or more people receiving £300. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship and provide recent bank statements for all household members to access the support.
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 as a credit on the bill or pre-payment meter. Interested individuals can apply through the Blackpool Council website.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is also issuing £120 worth of vouchers to eligible residents. Working-age households receiving Council Tax Reduction have already received two £60 vouchers each, with further distributions planned for pensioner households in January. Additionally, one-off payments of £120 are available for low-income residents who pay energy bills and do not receive Council Tax Reduction.