Hundreds of households in Surrey may receive free supermarket vouchers valued at £300 to assist with the cost of living. The initiative is part of the Household Support Fund, a fund allocated to local authorities to aid vulnerable families. Residents of Surrey can apply for the vouchers through the Everyday Essentials E-Voucher scheme if they are facing financial difficulties in purchasing food and essentials.
The vouchers are redeemable at various supermarkets such as Aldi, Asda, Farmfoods, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose. Eligibility for the scheme is open to Surrey residents aged 18 and above with household savings not exceeding £2,000 over a 90-day period and an annual household income below £27,007.50 before tax deductions.
Applicants are required to provide details of their income and household benefits. Applications for the vouchers open monthly, with the next round available starting from February 3. If the application window is missed, individuals can reapply from March 2. Residents outside Surrey are advised to check with their local council for available support options.
Nottingham City Council, for instance, is offering £100 vouchers to low-income individuals or those receiving benefits. The council is distributing 10,000 vouchers randomly, irrespective of the order of application. Additionally, Wakefield Council is providing food vouchers to households on low incomes receiving council tax assistance.
Pensioners receiving Council Tax Support received a £70 voucher in November, with further vouchers planned for other households. Families in receipt of Council Tax Support will receive a £50 voucher from December 15, while other eligible households will get a £70 voucher between December 3 and December 12.
Blackpool Council is offering £200 energy assistance to eligible households of one or two members, with qualifying households of three or more members, including children, receiving £300. To claim the support, individuals must demonstrate financial hardship and provide recent bank statements for all household members.