HUNDREDS of households can get £80 free supermarket vouchers to spend on food and essentials.
Cash-strapped households can apply for help through their council to the Household Support Fund.
Supermarket shopping. Close up view of shopping cart overloaded with food while in background female person choosing products.
Authorities get a portion of the £1.5billion pot of cash, and help you can get will vary depending on where you live.
Residents living in Essex County Council’s catchment area can get £80 to put towards food and essentials.
To be eligible, you must have reached state pension age – 66 years old – by September 30, 2022 and claim a means-tested benefit.
You will either get the £80 help as a one-off payment, or as a food voucher.
We’ve asked the council whether eligible households will receive the payment automatically.
We will update this story when we know more information.
It’s best to check in with Essex County Council to get more information about if you can get the help.
Make sure you have information to hand about your financial situation, like any payslips or benefit payments you get.
Can I get support if I don’t live in the area?
Yes – councils across the UK have their own Household Support Fund struggling households can apply to.
For example, Torbay Council is giving eligible cash-strapped residents a maximum of £50 towards food, and where necessary, another £50 towards energy bills.
In Coventry, households can claim a one-off supermarket voucher worth £36.
Meanwhile, in Kensington and Chelsea residents can grab up to £150 to help cover household bills, food and clothing.
How do I apply for the help?
Each council will have a different application process.
That means you should check in with your local council to see how to apply for the help in your area.
Check who your local council is using the gov.uk authority checker tool.
Those eligible for help may get it automatically but others have to apply – check with your council to see.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
Here’s three areas giving out EXTRA cost of living support – how to claim.