Free school meal vouchers worth up to £120 to help thousands of parents over summer holidays
FREE food vouchers worth up to £120 per child will be given to thousands of struggling families to help them through the school summer holidays.
The vouchers, which can be used at major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, will be handed out by local authorities through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The HSF provides hard-up households with support to help pay for grocery and energy bills, as well as other costs.
It has been extended several times since it was first introduced by Government in 2021.
The funding is given to local authorities, who then design their own schemes to distribute it, so the support available varies across the country.
While this means support can be something of a postcode lottery, in many areas families with children receiving free school meals will be in line to receive vouchers to help with grocery and other essential costs during the six-week summer holiday.
Levels of support vary depending on your local council and personal situation, so it’s worth checking your council’s website to ensure you receive all the help available.
In Hertfordshire families receiving benefit-related free school meals will receive a £60 voucher in the summer holidays.
In Norfolk families in receipt of free school meals are eligible for a monthly voucher of £15 per child throughout the year, with an additional payment of £15 given during July and August.
Across Cambridgeshire as well as Cheshire and West Chester families will receive £15 per week for every pupil who receives free school meals during the school holidays.
The same level of support will also be provided in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
The London Borough of Richmond has confirmed it will continue to provide families who receive free school meals with food vouchers to support them through the holidays. Last year it gave families £120 per eligible child during the six-week break.
Every council in England will have received funding from the HSF so if you’re worried about making ends meet ahead of the holidays, check your local council’s website for further details.
In most cases vouchers will be sent automatically to families in receipt of free school meals, via email or through their child’s school.
But in some cases you will be required to fill in a separate application, so if you’re unsure you’re eligible or haven’t received support during previous school holidays check with your local council.
the vouchers can be used across major retailers against your weekly shop.
To find your local council and check what support you’re entitled to use the Government’s council locator tool.
While Scottish councils do not receive payments from the HSF there is support available. Find out more here.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times, to September 2024.
The latest round of funding is worth £421million to councils in England.
Who qualifies and the level of support given is a postcode lottery, as each local authority can set its own criteria for distributing the funds.
However, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, you will likely qualify for help.
What support is available
The support provided varies from council to council, so its worth checking the schemes your local council has in place to make sure you receive all the assistance available.
For example, in Hertfordshire funds have also been made available to support households on low incomes facing immediate financial crisis, provide help with energy costs and support food banks.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
You don’t need to worry about additional support impacting existing benefits, as these will be unaffected by payments from the HSF.
And, you do not need necessarily need to be in receipt of 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 you apply?
To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application process.
Many councils won’t actually require you to apply for the help and will contact you about it, or issue vouchers via email or your child’s school.
What council tax support is available?
THERE are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill.
In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction.
Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get.
To apply, visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.
You’ll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details.
Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill:
Single person discount
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
Retirees
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.
Low-income households
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax.
Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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