HELPING HAND
Thousands of households to get food vouchers worth up to £50 to help in ‘challenging times’ – see if you’re one of them
Find out how you can apply now
THOUSANDS of Brits are set to receive £50 in food vouchers to help vulnerable households.
Struggling residents in moments of crisis could be offered a helping hand as many across the nation continue to feel the cost of living bite.
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Local communities in the Isle of Wight have been awarded extra funding as part of the government's Household Support Fund, HSF.
The grant will see a whopping £1.1million funnelled into the area, on top of £5.6million provided by the scheme already.
It enables the council to offer support to those in crisis until September this year with their essential bills, from food to energy.
As reported by , Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: "I am very pleased that the HSF has been extended again for another six months as it will continue to provide crucial support to the most vulnerable local households during these challenging times.
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"As well as looking at how the council can distribute this fund, we have also recognised the expertise our local partners bring and provided them with funding to strengthen the delivery of their own services.
"By working together we have been able to do the best by local residents and make this funding as effective as it can be."
The grant will offer struggling households two food vouchers worth £25 and a one-off £25 coupon for up to 10,000.
It also sees a helpful £130,000 go towards food banks across the island.
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Local community charities and organisations will too be set to see some extra cash flowing their way.
It comes after the Department for Work and Pensions provided the previous round of funding from April 2023 to March 2024.
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Council officials were able to distribute the money to 80 charities and organisations as well as help over 32,000 households in need.
What is the Household Support Fund?
Households in need can claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.
The funding is supplied from a £421million pot by the Department for Work and Pensions.
It was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.
Councils up and down the country get a portion of the cash to allocate to vulnerable households.
For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.
Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.
Get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.
The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.
But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
How do I apply?
Once you've found your council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding on its website.
Each council will have a different application process - so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.
That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary - it's best to check with your local council for more details.
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Some councils won't require you to apply for the help and they'll contact you about it instead if you qualify.
If there's no information on your council's website, then its best to ring them up and ask for more information.
Schemes as a result of new funding in the Isle of Wight
- Those is crisis will be entitled to two £25 food vouchers with a one-off £25 food voucher for up to 10,000 households in receipt of Local Council Tax Support.
- There will be more grant funding to Help Through Crisis - this supports people with utility bills, and other essentials.
- Community food banks across the island will be helped out by a fresh grant worth £130,000.
- Local community charities will also receive grants to help with funding.
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