Households in a specific region of the UK are receiving supermarket vouchers worth £70 to assist with living expenses. These vouchers are part of the Household Support Fund, which is being implemented by Wakefield Council. The council is distributing the vouchers to low-income households that receive council tax support. Pensioners who are recipients of Council Tax Support have already received a £70 voucher in November, with additional vouchers scheduled for distribution to other eligible households.
Families receiving Council Tax Support will receive a £50 voucher starting on December 15. Other households eligible for Council Tax Support will receive a £70 voucher between December 3 and December 12. Eligible recipients do not need to apply for the vouchers as they will be automatically sent within 14 days of the specified dates. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential scammers.
For those outside Wakefield, it is recommended to inquire with local councils about the support available through the Household Support Fund. Blackpool Council, for instance, is providing energy assistance of £200 to eligible households with one or two individuals, and £300 to qualifying households with three or more people, including children. To access this support, individuals facing financial difficulties must provide recent bank statements for all household members.
Applicants do not need to be receiving Universal Credit or other benefits to apply for the fund, but only one award can be claimed within a 12-month period. Payments are made directly to energy providers and reflected as credits on bills or pre-payment gas or electric meters. Interested parties can apply through the Blackpool Council website.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is also offering £120 worth of vouchers to eligible residents. Working-age households receiving Council Tax Reduction received two £60 vouchers each in the final two weeks of November, while pensioner households with Council Tax Reduction will receive two £60 vouchers each in the first two weeks of January. Additionally, one-off payments of £120 are available to low-income residents responsible for energy bills and not receiving Council Tax Reduction.