FOOD prices are soaring, but cash-strapped households can get up to £200 in vouchers to spend in supermarkets.
You can apply to your local council's Household Support Fund to get the help.
Since the scheme was launched in October last year, £1.5billion has been piled into the pot of funding that is divvied out to local authorities.
Councils are responsible for distributing the funding and deciding what help is available – so what you can get varies.
The Sun has spotted several councils offering supermarket vouchers to residents who need help getting by.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is dishing out £200 in free cash to hard-up households.
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To be eligible for the help, you must have savings of less than £10,000 and:
- Be a pensioner and receiving Pension Credit
- Of working age and in receipt of a means tested benefit or
- A pensioner of working age not in receipt of a means tested benefit who is in fuel poverty
You must apply through the council, or visit a local Citizens Advice office in the authority's catchment area.
Essex County Council is dishing out £80 in free food vouchers to struggling households.
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To be eligible, you must have reached state pension age – 66 years old – by September 30, 2022 and claim a means-tested benefit.
You must apply to the council for help, and make sure you have information to hand about your financial situation, like any payslips or benefit payments you get.
While Kensington and Chelsea is dishing out up to £150 in cash to struggling households – which can be put towards food bills.
Those who will get the full £150 include pensioners in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs.
Vulnerable families in need of groceries support will receive a £50 grant.
Those vulnerable families who have no recourse to public funds and those placed in hotels by the Home Office can receive £100.
What other help can I get?
If you're not eligible for the Household Support Fund, there's other help you can get.
Parents and mums-to-be can make the most of the Healthy Start scheme.
You can claim money to put towards milk, vegetables and other fridge essentials.
While the welfare assistance programme sees councils give out cash and vouchers to help them pay for essential bills.
You can get up to £1,000 in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Iceland is also giving out £30 in free food vouchers to 40,000 pensioners.
The campaign will run until September 16 and the vouchers can be spent in any of 269 Iceland stores in 16 areas across the country.
Asda is extending its "Kids eat for £1" scheme, and children can eat free at Morrisons' cafes when parents buy an adult meal worth £4.99 or over.
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If you are worried about the cost of living or debt, then a number of charities may also be able to offer free advice or help:
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Step Change – 0800 138 1111
- Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060
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