All the councils giving away free supermarket food vouchers worth £100s this summer
The boost comes via the £742million Household Support Fund (HSF) which has been shared between councils in England.
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Councils have until March 31, 2026, to allocate their share of the fund and can decide who is eligible for help, and what they get.
That means what you're entitled to and whether you're eligible for support is dependant on where you live.
In most cases, help is distributed to those who are financially vulnerable, on a low income or benefits.
A number of councils are using their share of the fund to distribute food vouchers to hard-up households over the summer holidays - and some are worth hundreds of pounds.
We've revealed some of the help on offer below.
If your council is not included below, check with yours what support you might be able to get.
Most have pages on their websites dedicated to the HSF where you'll find all details on who is eligible and what you can get.
You can find what council area you come under via www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Bromley Council
The London council is offering households £150 payments in the form of virtual energy cards, council tax credit or supermarket vouchers.
You have to be over 16 and living in a Bromley postcode to apply. You also will be required to prove the following:
Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence
You have rent, energy, council tax or other financial arrears
You have an income (so will need to provide proof of income)
You are unable to meet your arrears in the form of bank statements for the last three calendar months
Priority is being given to first-time applicants to the HSF.
Until August 31 the council will process applications from those who did not receive support from the HSF between April 2024 and March 2025.
To find out more go to www.bromley.gov.uk/householdsupportfund.
North Northamptonshire Council
The council is distributing supermarket vouchers worth up to £320 to households in need.
Single person households qualify for £150, two person households £260 and homes with three or more people in them £320.
You must meet eligibility criteria to qualify though, including having a total income under a certain limit depending on the size of your household.
For example, single adult households with no children must have a total income under £438.
To find out more and to apply go to www.northnorthants.gov.uk/support-offer/household-support-fund/wider-essential-support/wider-essential-support-eligibility.
Wakefield Metropolitan District Counci
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council is issuing supermarket vouchers worth £50 to families receiving council tax support.
The vouchers were issued via letters on July 21 and should have taken up to seven days to arrive.
Household Support Fund explained
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 £742million 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 current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026.
Full instructions on how to redeem them are included on the letter.
The vouchers can be used several times and don't have to be spent all at once.
Find out more via www.wakefield.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support/household-support-fund.
Ealing Council
Ealing Council sent emails and letters to households eligible for supermarket vouchers worth £90 last month.
The vouchers were issued to families with children on benefits-related free school meals.
They are worth £90 per child meaning you might have received £180 if you have two kids.
The council's partner, Blackhawk, issued a 16-digit personalised code and instructions on how to redeem the vouchers on the Blackhawk website - ealingcouncil.select-your-reward.co.uk.
For more details, go to www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201103/benefits_and_financial_support/3043/household_support_fund.
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.
More details can be found via www.devon.gov.uk/cost-of-living/benefits-money-and-debt/household-support-fund-hsf-devons-approach.
Derby City Council
Derby City Council is distributing supermarket food vouchers to households in "financial crisis".
Two rounds of funding are available with round one open between May and September.
A maximum of one award per round is available per household.
Households can apply for the vouchers until September 2025 or until any funding has been fully allocated.
Single households can get £25 vouchers, £50 for a multiple adult household or £100 for a household with children under the age of 19.
You can apply for the vouchers and find out more via www.derby.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/benefits/household-support-fund.
Southampton City Council
The council is continuing to fund supermarket vouchers for free school meal (FSM) eligible pupils in the school holiday.
The vouchers are being distributed automatically and parents do not need to apply.
The council has not revealed how much the vouchers are worth.
More details can be found via www.southampton.gov.uk/benefits-welfare/money-advice/household-support-fund.
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