THOUSANDS of households can apply for £150 free cash to spend at supermarkets from TODAY.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £842million.
The central pot of money has come from Government and been shared across councils in England.
They are then allocating their share to residents in need, in most cases those on a low income or benefits.
That means what you can get is a bit of a postcode lottery, but it's worth seeing if you are entitled to help.
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You can do this by getting in touch with your local authority.
If you don't know what council area you fall under, you can use the Government's council locator tool on its website - you just have to enter your postcode.
In Dorset, the council is offering thousands of residents supermarket vouchers worth £150 to help cover the cost of living.
The vouchers are being distributed by the Dorset Citizens Advice branch but you can also apply via the Dorset Council website.
The vouchers can be spent at a number of supermarkets. Here is the full list:
- Asda
- Aldi
- B&M
- Farmfoods
- Iceland
- M&S
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury's
- Tesco
- Waitrose
Crucially, eligible residents have only been able to apply for the vouchers from five key dates:
- May 3, 2023
- June 6, 2023
- July 4, 2023
- August 2, 2023
- September 7, 2023
But, that means residents can reapply for them from today. The application window opened at 9am.
Once all the vouchers have been allotted for each window it will close so you'll want to be quick.
It's worth bearing in mind, you can't apply for the vouchers within six months of previously having done so.
So, if you applied for help via the Household Support Fund in January you can't apply for this round.
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When it comes to applying you'll need some ID documents to hand, such as your birth certificate, driving licence, passport and council tax bill.
You apply for the vouchers online. If you need help with your application you can call the Dorset Council customer service team on 01305 221000 or email customerservices@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can call the Citizens Advice Dorset branch on 0800 144 8848.
If you are eligible, you will receive your voucher within six to eight weeks of your application date.
Who is eligible?
You can only apply for the £150 vouchers if you live in Dorset and one per household.
You also have to prove you are on a low income. So, you will be eligible to apply if you have:
- an annual household net income of less than £30,000 and
- savings of less than £16,000 and
- not applied for a previous Household Support Fund payment within the last six months
Net income is the amount your household receives after any tax or deductions.
Dorset Council says any calculations of your annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, or Child Benefit.
If you are not sure whether your household income breaches the £30,000 threshold you should apply for the help just in case you are eligible.
Can I get help if I don't live in Dorset?
The simple answer is yes. But whether you'll be eligible and what you can get depends on where you live.
That's because each council in England has been given a unique share of the £842million HSF pot.
But, in most cases, you will receive help if you are on a low income or benefits.
Households in Cheshire East are in line for cash grants worth £160.
The council there has been given a £4.4million share of the HSF to distribute among residents.
Meanwhile, households in Torridge are in line for payments worth up to £1,000.
And thousands of residents in Wokingham can get up to £100 in support from their council.
Bear in mind, the latest round of HSF opened on April 1 so some councils might have already allocated their share.
You'll want to move fast to ensure you're in with the best chance of securing help.
What other help can I get?
If you can't get help via the Household Support Fund you might be able to via a cost of living payment.
The Government is handing out three separate payments in 2023 and into 2024.
Depending on your circumstances, you might be entitled to all three.
The £900 payment has been split into three instalments worth £301, £300 and £299.
The first instalment has already been made to millions of people.
The second and third instalments will be made for most people this autumn and in spring 2024 respectively.
Millions of pensioners will receive the £300 cost of living payment too, while those with disabilities should be in the process of receiving a £150 payment.
Meanwhile, one London council is offering £250 free cash payments via a £1million hardship fund.
From October, households will be able to get help via the Warm Home Discount too.
It comes in the form of a £150 payment which energy suppliers automatically dish out to those who are eligible.
For those in England and Wales, you will receive the discount if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
In Scotland, some customers will need to apply for cash.
Meanwhile, if you are really struggling with your bills, there are a number of energy providers that offer grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas, EDF and Octopus Energy are just a few firms that offer help.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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