THOUSANDS of households need to look out for supermarket vouchers landing on doormats worth up to £180.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figures for June confirmed food prices have soared in the last 12 months.
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But there are ways to drive down the cost of your weekly shop, starting with help through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The £742million fund has been shared between councils in England who then decide how to allocate their share.
Some are directing cash payments to residents in need while others are distributing supermarket vouchers to cover the summer holidays.
We’ve rounded up what some local authorities are offering below.
We won’t have covered all the councils offering help, so if your local authority isn’t included it’s worth checking with it to see what you are eligible for.
Most councils have pages on their websites dedicated to the Household Support Fund where you’ll find details on who is eligible and what you’re in line for.
You can find what local council area you fall under by visiting www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
That said, below are some of the councils offering qualifying households supermarket vouchers.
Bracknell Forest Council
Schools in Bracknell are automatically distributing supermarket vouchers to children registered for free school meals.
These vouchers have been paid for through Bracknell Forest Council’s allotment of the Household Support Fund.
The council has not confirmed how much the vouchers are worth.
Wakefield Metropolitan District Counci
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council is issuing supermarket vouchers worth £50 to families receiving council tax support.
The vouchers are being issued via letters on July 21 and take up to seven days to arrive.
Full instructions on how to redeem the vouchers will be included in the letters.
Once the voucher has been redeemed, it doesn’t have to be used all at once and can be used several times until it is spent.
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham City Council is distributing £75 supermarket vouchers to households each month until March 2026.
There is a limit on the number of vouchers being shared each month meaning you have to act fast to claim one.
Applications for this month’s vouchers opened on July 7 so may all have been allocated for July.
Nottingham City Council has said the dates applications for vouchers will open between August and next March will be confirmed “later in July”.
Ealing Council
Ealing Council is giving supermarket vouchers worth £90 to families with children on benefits-related free school meals this month.
The vouchers are worth £90 per child meaning you could get £180 if you have two kids.
You don’t need to apply for the vouchers as they are being sent automatically to emails or as letters.
The council’s partner, Blackhawk, is issuing a 16-digit personalised code and instructions on how to redeem the vouchers on the Blackhawk website – ealingcouncil.select-your-reward.co.uk.
Devon County Council
Devon County Council has issued supermarket vouchers worth more than £90 to 22,000 families with children on free school meals.
The £90 is equivalent to £15 per week for the six week school holiday.
The council has said the vouchers can be redeemed in major supermarkets but hasn’t said which ones.
Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is issuing £50 supermarket vouchers to children on benefits-related free school meals.
You might also be eligible if your child is not on free school meals and you’re on a low income, and can apply for the vouchers from the end of the school term.
You can also forward your email address to the council and will be contacted when the application window opens.
More details can be found via www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-money-advice/help-and-support/money-advice/household-support-fund.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council
Families on free school meals are eligible for supermarket food vouchers being distributed by schools in the area.
You do not need to apply as they are being issued automatically.
Food vouchers may also be available for children under five years if certain criteria is met.
To receive a voucher, children must be living in Bournemouth, Christchurch, or Poole and meet one of the following criteria:
- currently claiming 2 year old early education funding at an early years setting in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole during the term
- currently claiming Early Years Pupil Premium funding for 3 and 4 year olds at an early years setting in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole during the term (this is different to the early education funding available to all 3 and 4 year olds)
- currently have an open case with a social worker or Early Help family support worker and are of pre-school age
Food vouchers for this group of families have to be applied for, with more details on the BCP Council website.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended.
The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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