This February half term, thousands of families eligible for free school meals will receive supermarket vouchers courtesy of their local council. Central Bedfordshire Council is providing this support as part of the Household Support Fund scheme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Household Support Fund allows local councils to offer specific assistance to residents on low incomes or struggling with bills. Each council determines the nature of the support and its eligibility criteria. This could include non-repayable cash payments or vouchers for food or energy.
For this February half term, Central Bedfordshire Council is distributing supermarket vouchers worth £17.50 to children attending a Central Bedfordshire School who are entitled to free school meals.
Recipients should expect a text or email with instructions on selecting a supermarket for the voucher. Additionally, those receiving free childcare for a two-year-old child and claiming benefits, or young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old who have previously been in care, will also receive a supermarket voucher, reports the Mirror.
Central Bedfordshire Council has previously awarded supermarket vouchers during the October and Christmas half terms. Initially set to conclude on September 30, 2024, the Household Support Fund has been extended for an additional six months until March 31, 2025, following an allocation of another £421 million to the scheme.
If you’re residing outside of Bedfordshire, it’s advisable to check your local council’s website for potential assistance. For instance, Solihull residents can access free aid worth £500 to offset water and energy debts.
Eligibility criteria include a combined annual household income below £31,000, no savings (unless you’re a pensioner, in which case up to £5,000 in savings is permissible), a vulnerable individual living in the household, and receipt of a qualifying benefit. In Rotherham, residents can receive £250 support this winter, provided they have no more than £150 left each month after essential expenses like food, rent or mortgage, and utility bills.
This funding isn’t means-tested, but only one application per household is allowed. Blackpool Council is offering payments up to £300 to households struggling with energy or water costs, paid directly to suppliers and appearing as credit on bills or prepay meters.
It’s worth checking with your local council for any support you might be eligible for.