Iceland is giving away 40,000 free food vouchers to those struggling with the cost of living
THOUSANDS of Iceland customers can get free £30 vouchers to spend in all 269 stores.
The budget supermarket chain is offering the vouchers to pensioners struggling with the cost of living.
Iceland partnered with the Rothesay Foundation to help vulnerable pensions bring down their food bills.
In total, 40,000 vouchers will be available for those who’ve reached state pension age.
To be eligible for the voucher you’ll also need to live independently or with a carer and rely solely on your state pension or other benefits to pay your bills.
Iceland will offer these individuals a £30 voucher for food and other essentials.
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Pensioners will need to apply for the vouchers by September 16 and these will need to be redeemed by December 31 2021.
Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods, said: “No one should ever have to worry about how they are going to eat or drink, and we hope that the support we can offer across the UK will help pensioners access and enjoy a worry-free meal during this difficult time.”
Addy Loudiadis, chief executive officer of the Rothesay Foundation, added: “We hope our vouchers will provide a small amount of relief to the growing number of older people living in real financial difficulty in the UK.”
It’s not the first time Iceland has helped older people who might be struggling with their household bills.
In May of this year, it launched a weekly over 60’s 10% discount across all its stores every Tuesday.
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If you’ve got a £30 voucher, you can also use the over 60’s discount on top – but only on a Tuesday.
The 10% discount is applicable across all Iceland stores.
Eligible customers have to provide proof of age through a driving license, senior bus pass, senior rail card or Freedom Pass when paying for their goods at the checkout.
The discount will work across all products in store and you get 10% off the total cost of your shop.
How do I claim the voucher and where will they be eligible?
If you think you’re eligible you’ll need to can call the Summer Cheer hotline to request a voucher.
You’ll need to ring 0800 098 7877 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday to request a voucher.
If eligible you’ll be sent a leaflet in the post with the £30 voucher on it.
The vouchers are available to eligible pensioners in:
- Glasgow
- Strathclyde
- Greater Manchester
- Liverpool
- Wirral
- Newcastle North
- Sunderland
- Huddersfield/Barnsley
- Sheffiled
- Birmingham
- West Midlands
- Glamorgan
- Newport
- North Wales
- Lambeth
- Croydon
To find out if your local Iceland store accepts the vouchers, you can use Iceland’s store locator.
What other help is available to me if I’m a pensioner?
In addition to the Iceland vouchers, there’s other help on offer if you’re a pensioner and you’re struggling to make ends meet.
The government announced a raft of measures back in May this year for struggling households.
Among the support specifically for pensioners is the £650 cost of living payment, but you will only receive this if you receive Pension Credit.
The payment is being split into two and you should have received the first instalment already.
The next one is due to be paid in the autumn, although a specific date has not yet been confirmed.
All energy customers are eligible for a £400 energy bills discount this winter.
The discount will be paid in six instalments from October. Two worth £66 and four worth £67.
A £300 one-off Pensioner Cost of Living payment will be dished out to eight million people later on in the year on to of the Winter Fuel Payment.
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The Winter Fuel Payment is usually worth between £100 and £300 and those over the state pension age receive it.
If you are worried about the cost of living or debt, then a number of charities may also be able to offer free advice or help:
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Step Change – 0800 138 1111
- Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060