Latest news with #vouchers
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit can apply for free £300 vouchers this month – check if you're eligible
THOUSANDS of households can apply for free vouchers from their local council this month. This is through the Government's Household Support Fund, which has given £742million to councils across the country to help struggling residents. 1 Local authorities can choose how they use the funds to help people in their area, and the latest to reveal its plans is City of Doncaster Council. It says it will be providing one-off payments worth up to £300 to residents on certain benefits. You'll be eligible if you receive: Housing benefit Local Council Tax Reduction Universal Credit which includes the housing element Means-tested free school meals. Families can get £100 vouchers towards the cost of food if they have one dependent child. Households with two dependent children will get £200, while families with three or more will get £300. City of Doncaster Council says it classes children as dependent if you receive Child Benefit for them. Other eligible households - including those without children - can get £100 towards the cost of energy bills. The council is also putting £150,000 into supporting local food banks and its hygiene bank. Hundreds of thousands have been set aside to support community hubs helping vulnerable households and people in crisis. 6 Easy Water-Saving Gadgets That Can Save You £100s How can you get the payment? If you've already received help from the Household Support Fund before and you still meet the criteria, you won't need to apply. Instead the payment should land in your bank account automatically. You will need to contact the council if your bank details have changed, though. If you were paid by cheque previously, you'll receive the payment by cheque again unless you contact the council and provide it with your bank details. You can contact the council to change your details by emailing householdsupportfund@ You'll need to provide your name, National Insurance Number, full address, bank sort code, account number and the name of the account holder. If the council can't verify that you're still eligible for the payment but you think you are, you will need to reapply. Households that haven't received a payment previously will need to submit an application. You can do that using the link here. Make sure you apply before the applications close in July. When will the payment be sent? Households with children will get their food vouchers on or around July 15. Those who are receiving help with their energy bills will get their vouchers much later. These will come through on or around December 15. Can you get help if you live outside Doncaster? Most likely, yes. Councils across the country have been given money through the Household Support Fund scheme. They can choose to distribute the money how they want so you should check what your local council is doing. However the aim is to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. Some councils have not yet revealed how they are planning to spend the money, but others have shared details on their websites. For example, households in Redcar & Cleveland can get support worth up to £230. Those in Leeds can get payments of up to £150. Councils have until March 31, 2026 to allocate their share of the fund to residents. If you're struggling with bills or on benefits, it's likely you'll be able to get support. You should contact your local council or check its website to see what it's offering and whether you might be eligible. You can find what council area you fall under by using the government's council locator tool - Some offer supermarket vouchers while others are sending direct cash payments. It's worth noting that any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana senators trim private education vouchers, expand Medicaid budget
Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, helped lead an effort to reduce funding in the state budget for a new private education voucher program that Gov. Jeff Landry has pushed. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The Republican-led Louisiana Senate Finance Committee has removed public money meant to expand the use of private education vouchers in spite of the initiative being a priority for fellow Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The committee agreed Sunday to cut $50 million from LA GATOR, Landry's initiative launching in the 2025-26 school year. The reduction will leave $44 million for the program, enough to continue covering private school tuition for 6,000 students who already receive state-funded vouchers. Landry and the Louisiana House wanted to put an additional $50 million into LA GATOR so the state could give out 5,300 new vouchers next school year, for approximately 11,300 overall. The cut was one of the biggest shakeups in the Senate leadership's initial version of the $43 billion state budget unveiled Sunday. The Senate and House must come together to reach a compromise on the spending plan by June 12. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, has been resolute in his opposition to giving out more vouchers in the coming year. For weeks, he has expressed concern that LA GATOR's cost could grow faster than the state can afford it, and that the state's existing voucher program hasn't resulted in better education outcomes for students enrolled in it. Still, Landry and conservative groups who back LA GATOR have been putting pressure on senators to keep the $50 million in the program. They are running advertisements and recently held a rally next to the Capitol pushing for additional vouchers for the program. Some senators were also reluctant to explain why the money had been removed Sunday. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Glen Womack, R-Harrisonburg, and Sen. Rick Edmonds, who sponsored the bill to set up LA GATOR last year, allowed the state budget bill with the cut to move forward, but they declined to comment after the committee meeting. Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley, one of LA GATOR's biggest proponents, also refused to comment on the budget change after the committee hearing. Brumley said he had not had a chance to review the adjustment to the program yet. Yet based on the assumption that the number of vouchers offered would grow, Brumley had opened applications for the program across the state earlier this spring. Nearly 40,000 families have applied for the limited slots. At least some of the $50 million taken from LA GATOR is going to be used to restore $30 million to a targeted tutoring program for public elementary school students. Brumley attributed some of Louisiana's success on national math and reading tests to the tutoring program and said he was grateful it had been added back into the budget. Landry, Senate hope for hundreds of millions in federal Medicaid funding The Republican Senate leadership's version of the budget also adds hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to the state Medicaid budget. The money would be used to pay physicians and hospitals a higher reimbursement rate for treating Medicaid patients. Landry asked the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services earlier this year to allow Louisiana's medical providers to receive a rate for treating Medicaid patients closer to what private insurers provide. The federal government has not agreed pay the new rate yet. But if it does, it will increase Louisiana's federal Medicaid funding by $500 million in the state budget cycle that starts June 1. Hundreds of millions of federal dollars could also be given to Louisiana to retroactively cover payments in the current budget year that ends June 30. Louisiana's request for more Medicaid funding comes at a time when President Donald Trump and U.S. House Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, are pushing for ways to reduce the nation's overall spending on Medicaid. But the reimbursement rates are not expected to be affected by changes Congress is considering. UNO transfer to LSU System comes with debt relief The Senate has added $20 million in its budget proposal for the University of Louisiana System to pay off debt associated with the University of New Orleans, which is likely to move over to the LSU System this summer. The Senate has also included nearly $2 million for the UL System to continue a youth recreation partnership at UNO for another year and $450,000 for LSU to conduct an 'academic and finance' audit of UNO in the next fiscal cycle. Sheriffs will get paid more to hold state inmates The Senate added $11.6 million to the budget in order to give local sheriffs $3 more per day per inmate to house state adult inmates in their local jails. Currently, sheriffs are paid $26.39 per day per inmate to house state prisoners. Louisiana keeps approximately 15,800 inmates in local parish jails instead of state prisons. This includes almost 2,000 state prisoners who are in transitional work programs, where they hold jobs at private businesses in the community while living at the jail. Louisiana DOGE gets money, staff to find efficiencies The Senate has added $1.5 million into the budget to support the so-called 'Louisiana DOGE' initiative Landry set up to search for government efficiencies. The money will support 10 positions in Landry's Division of Administration to perform a financial review of government services statewide.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
How to extend Tesco Clubcard points ahead of deadline
TESCO shoppers have just days left to stop their Clubcard vouchers from going to waste. Thousands of customers have been warned that vouchers issued in May 2022 will expire for good on May 31. 1 That means if you haven't used them by the end of this week, they'll vanish completely. The supermarket has been sending out urgent reminders, telling shoppers: 'Your Clubcard vouchers are expiring soon. Don't forget to use them on your next shop.' But there's a simple way to keep your points alive without spending the whole lot at once and it only takes seconds. If you've got an old voucher about to expire, you can spend just a small amount of it, as little as 50p, and Tesco will automatically reissue the remaining balance with a fresh two-year expiry date. So, for example, if you have a £10 voucher and use 50p on your next shop, the leftover £9.50 will come back to you as a brand-new voucher, valid until 2026. It works in-store and online. Just apply part of your voucher at checkout and the rest will be updated and saved in your Clubcard account. To see what you've got left, log into your Tesco Clubcard account through the app or website, and head to the 'Vouchers' section. You'll find a full list of what's available and when it runs out. If you're shopping in-store, you can scan your voucher straight from your phone. If you're buying online, they'll pop up at checkout and can be applied with one click. Save with secret codes Tesco's Customer Engagement team said: 'Lost track of where they are? Don't worry, you can find your vouchers in the Tesco app. "If you're shopping in-store, just scan them at the till from your phone.' Insider tip from a Tesco employee A Tesco employee has revealed a surprising secret about the self-scan trolleys. According to the worker, random checks on customers using these trolleys are not entirely random. The checks are actually triggered by a specific customer habit. If you frequently pick up and put down items without scanning them, you're more likely to be selected for a check. This is due to the system detecting suspicious behaviour, which could indicate potential theft. So, to avoid delays, it's best to scan items immediately after placing them in your trolley. What is a Clubcard? Clubcard is Tesco's free loyalty scheme which gives customers one point for every £1 spent in store or online, and one point for every two litres of fuel. Once you've earned 150 points, you get a £1.50 voucher to spend. But the real value comes from Tesco's Reward Partner scheme. This allows customers to swap their points for rewards worth up to three times as much. For example, £10 in Clubcard vouchers can be turned into £30 to spend at restaurants like PizzaExpress, or attractions like Legoland and SEA LIFE. There's also the option to exchange £7.50 worth of vouchers for a three-month Disney+ subscription – a saving that's proved popular with families. You can also rack up points by shopping with Tesco's partnered brands. Customers buying a new Vauxhall car can earn a whopping 50,000 Clubcard points, while shoppers using services like Evri or OVO Energy can collect extra points per pound spent. If you want to take it further, Tesco also runs a monthly subscription called Clubcard Plus. It costs £7.99 a month, but gives you 10 per cent off two big in-store shops of your choice each month, as well as discounts on select Tesco brands. If you spend over £40 on your big shop, the discount alone covers the subscription. Tesco fans can also earn points by taking surveys through the Shopper Thoughts programme. You'll receive 150 points just for sharing your opinion and it can be done from the sofa in a matter of minutes. The biggest mistake shoppers make is letting their vouchers expire – and it's easier than you'd think to forget. So before May 31 hits, log into your account and see what's still sitting there. You might have pounds waiting to be saved or even tripled in value. How to save money on your food shop Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year: Odd boxes - plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price. Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30. Sainsbury's also sells £2 "Taste Me, Don't Waste Me" fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash. Food waste apps - food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public. Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go's app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount. Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses. Yellow sticker bargains - yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap. But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here. Super cheap bargains - sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they've found on the cheap, including food finds. "Downshift" - you will almost always save money going for a supermarket's own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands. The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as "downshifting" and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tesco shoppers have just days left to use £15million worth of Clubcard vouchers
TESCO shoppers have just days left to use £15million worth of Clubcard vouchers. The UK's biggest supermarket has warned customers that vouchers will expire on May 31. 1 Customers can use the Clubcard vouchers, which were first issued in May 2023 and will expire at the end of this month, to lower the cost of their weekly shop. That gives customers just two days to head to the shop before the points vanish for good. The supermarket giant has been sending out emails to customers to use their points before they expire in just a few days. In the message, Tesco said: 'Your Clubcard vouchers are expiring soon. "Don't forget to use them on your next shop.' Tesco added: 'Lost track of where they are? Don't worry, you can find your vouchers in the Tesco app. If you're shopping in-store, just scan them at the till from your phone. 'Or if you're shopping online, your vouchers will be in the coupon and voucher section at the checkout.' Tesco Clubcard vouchers are only valid for two years from the date they were issued. If you think you have Clubcard points that you have not used, it may be worth tracking them down to ensure you are not missing out. You need to head to the Tesco Clubcard website to track down your points. Tesco and Sainsbury's 'secret codes' revealed Here you will find your voucher history and points that haven't been spent yet. If any are unused then they can be spent instantly online, or you can use them straight away when you next head into a store. MoneySavingExpert has previously shared a trick to extend points though, if they are about to expire. Shoppers can extend the dates for another two years by making a small purchase on the Tesco Clubcard site with the voucher or vouchers you have. The remaining balance of the voucher would then be credited back to your Clubcard account as points, reissued with newer expiry dates. But it's worth noting that if you spend 50p on a £10 voucher, you'll get £9.50 as new vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind that you will have to do this for each voucher. So it might not be as lucrative for smaller vouchers like those at £1, as you won't get as much money back. WHERE CAN YOU SPEND THE POINTS? If you decide to use your vouchers for your Tesco shop, every 150 points can be exchanged to the value of £1.50. Your vouchers can double their value with 100+ Clubcard Reward Partners including PizzaExpress, or easyJet Holidays. When you spend £1 in-store or online, you get one point when you scan your card or app at the checkout. Drivers using Clubcards now get one point for every two litres spent on fuel. You can also double their worth when you swap them for discounts with "reward partners". For example, you can turn your vouchers into a 3 month Disney+ Standard With Ads subscription. To do this, select £7.50 of Clubcard vouchers to get a 3 month Standard With Ads Disney+ subscription. Tesco shoppers can also get Clubcard prices when they use their loyalty card. How to save money at Tesco EVERY little helps when it comes to saving money at Tesco. The Sun's Head of Consumer Tara Evans explains how you can save money at the UK's biggest supermarket. Clubcard points Tesco first launched it's loyalty scheme back in 1995. You get one point for every £1 you spend in store. If you spend points in store then 100 points is worth £1. You can spend your points via its reward partners and get triple and even sometimes quadruple the value. Extend Clubcard points You can find lost Clubvcard points and find the last two years of unused vouchers by logging into the Tesco Clubcard site. Clubcard prices If you don't have a Clubcard then you will miss out on its cheaper Clubcard prices. However, don't forget to check prices before you shop because it might not be cheaper than elsewhere, especially on big value items like washing powder and loo roll. Yellow stickers Shops do vary the time they reduce groceries with yellow stickers but Tesco tends to be between 7pm and 9pm. Save money if you shop online If you get your Tesco food shop delivered then it might be worth buying a delivery saver pass to help cut the cost of delivery fees. If you live near a Tesco then you can get click and collect slots of as little as 25p, so it might be cheaper than getting your food delivered.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth £120 within weeks
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth up to £120 within weeks. The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a giant £742million fund which has been made available to councils in England. 1 Local authorities have until March 31, 2026, to allocate their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria. Some councils have already starting distributing their share through cash bank transfers and vouchers while some are yet to. Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to cover energy bills, food and other essential costs. The support is being released in a staggered approach based on residents' personal circumstances. Households on benefits without children are eligible for up to £55 vouchers and can apply from November. Meanwhile, struggling households not on benefits can apply for £100 vouchers this month. Plus, households with children and getting any number of benefits, including Universal Credit, are eligible for £60 vouchers per child, meaning a family with two children could get £120. Council Tax Reduction Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit We have asked Middlesbrough Council how residents can cash the £60 vouchers and how many are eligible to apply and will update this story when we have heard back. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Further details on how households can apply from July are yet to be revealed. It's worth keeping an eye on the council's website for more details though - Households with children who meet the free school meals eligibility criteria will also get vouchers worth £60 per child. The vouchers will be issued automatically for this group, in July, rather than them having to apply. Older households in Middlesbrough not eligible for Winter Fuel Payments also qualify for free £100 payments. Letters will be sent to households who may be eligible in November with applications opening in the same month. Can I get help if I live outside Middlesbrough? Put simply, yes. However, it will depend on your circumstances and where you live. The Household Support Fund was set up to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. But, each council can set its own eligibility criteria meaning whether you qualify for help is a postcode lottery. That said, funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or struggling to pay for essentials. So, if you are financially hard-up or on benefits, it is likely you will be able to get help. It's worth bearing in mind, any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments. The type of help on offer varies from supermarket vouchers to direct cash payments into your bank account. Some councils are allocating their share of the fund to community groups and charities who you have to get in touch with. If you're on benefits, have limited savings, or are struggling to cover food and energy bills, it's worth seeing if you're eligible for help. Contact your local council and see if you have to apply or whether support is being distributed automatically. You can find what council area you fall under by using the government's council locator tool - 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 current round runs until the end of March 2026.
