Latest news with #HolidayVoucherScheme
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Households can apply for cost of living cash worth £275
For those who receive free school meals, you can apply to the council CASH IN Households can apply for cost of living cash worth £275 – see how Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS can now apply for cost of living cash worth £275, and this is how you could do it. The Government has set up a grant called the Household Support Fund (HSF) which runs from this month until March 2026. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Households would be able to get support as part of the governments Household Support Fund Credit: Getty 5 Those facing immediate financial hardship can apply for cost of living cash worth £175 Credit: Getty The scheme has been drawn up to help with the rising cost of living crisis and support those in the UK that are most in need. Although the government states that the money given is not charity, those who apply do not need to pay anything back. It's a central pot of money worth £742million that is shared between local authorities, who then decide who to offer the help to. Every council has been given a different amount of money to share between their residents in need. Which means that the amount you can get and how the money will be distributed will vary depending on where you live. For Cambridge County council, the support aims to help those going through immediate financial hardship. According to the website, it will come in the form of financial vouchers or cash payments. These aim to assist those that specifically need help covering the cost of food and household energy bills. As part of this, the Holiday Voucher Scheme offers households supermarket vouchers to those that receive Free School Meals. During the school holidays, every week vouchers worth £15 will be issued for each child who is eligible. Support Fund Boost: Up to £500 Grants for Struggling Households Between now and 31 March 2026, there are generally eleven weeks of school holidays. This means that if you are eligible, at £15 a week you would be able to claim a total of £165. Alongside the financial award of £110 per household, the total payment households will receive will come to £275. These will come in the form of either a PayPoint cashout voucher, a supermarket voucher, a PayPoint energy voucher or a BACS transfer. 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 £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. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible. 5 Those on free school meals in Cambridge are able to get a payment of £15 per week as part of the Holiday Voucher Scheme Credit: PA 5 In between April and May there is generally eleven weeks of holidays Credit: Alamy 5 Meaning the total payment could amount to £275 Credit: Getty Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Households can apply for cost of living cash worth £275
HOUSEHOLDS can now apply for cost of living cash worth £275, and this is how you could do it. The Government has set up a grant called the Household Support Fund (HSF) which runs from this month until March 2026. 5 5 The scheme has been drawn up to help with the rising cost of living crisis and support those in the UK that are most in need. Although the government states that the money given is not charity, those who apply do not need to pay anything back. It's a central pot of money worth £742million that is shared between local authorities, who then decide who to offer the help to. Every council has been given a different amount of money to share between their residents in need. Which means that the amount you can get and how the money will be distributed will vary depending on where you live. For Cambridge County council, the support aims to help those going through immediate financial hardship. According to the website, it will come in the form of financial vouchers or cash payments. These aim to assist those that specifically need help covering the cost of food and household energy bills. As part of this, the Holiday Voucher Scheme offers households supermarket vouchers to those that receive Free School Meals. During the school holidays, every week vouchers worth £15 will be issued for each child who is eligible. Support Fund Boost: Up to £500 Grants for Struggling Households Between now and 31 March 2026, there are generally eleven weeks of school holidays. This means that if you are eligible, at £15 a week you would be able to claim a total of £165. Alongside the financial award of £110 per household, the total payment households will receive will come to £275. These will come in the form of either a PayPoint cashout voucher, a supermarket voucher, a PayPoint energy voucher or a BACS transfer. 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 £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. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible. 5 5 5 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
