THOUSANDS of families can claim £50 free supermarket vouchers to tie them over this Christmas.
The assistance comes through the Family Assist Fund (HSF) which is price over £400 million.
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The fund was first introduced by the federal government in September 2021, however has been prolonged twice.
It’s a central pot of cash that’s shared between councils who then determine who to distribute it to.
The deadline for councils to situation their newest share of the fund is March 31, 2023.
Nonetheless, heaps of native authorities are providing assist earlier.
Stoke-on-Trent Metropolis Council is distributing £2.68million price of assist to hundreds of residents this Christmas within the kind of supermarket meals vouchers.
Who’s eligible?
Assist is being supplied to families with youngsters who ordinarily qualify for free college meals if:
- they get revenue-associated free college meals
- they are in receipt of early years pupil premium and two-yr funding
- they are care leavers as much as age 25
Early years pupil premium is further funding supplied to childcare suppliers who can claim the cash on behalf of your baby.
Kids who are eligible for free college meals will need to have mother and father who claim advantages. The advantages included are:
- Earnings assist
- Earnings-based mostly Jobseekers Allowance
- Earnings-associated Employment and Assist Allowance
- Assist beneath Half VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act in 1999
- The assured aspect of Pension Credit score
- Little one Tax Credit score (supplied you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit score and have an annual gross revenue of not more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit score run-on paid for 4 weeks till you cease qualifying for Working Tax Credit score
- Common Credit score
Most eligible households in Stoke-on-Trent ought to have already obtained their vouchers to tie them over this Christmas.
If not, you can apply for them on Stoke-on-Trent Metropolis Council’s web site.
However you ought to word the council’s workplace is closed till January 2, 2023.
So if you do apply now your software will not be processed till the brand new yr.
Free college meals vouchers can be used at a quantity of excessive road retailers, together with Aldi, Asda, Morrisons and Sansbury’s.
Can I get assist if I do not stay in Stoke-on-Trent?
Sure you can. The Family Assist Fund has seen councils throughout England given cash to distribute to families in want.
However what you are entitled to will fluctuate relying on the place you stay, as a result of every authority has been given a unique quantity.
However, often, the cash is given to families on advantages or low incomes.
Council’s are deciding the best way to distribute their share of the pot in a different way too.
Some are handing out vouchers, whereas others are making direct financial institution transfers.
Households in Guildford, Surrey, can stand up to £400 price of assist.
Do you have a cash downside that wants sorting? Get in contact by emailing [email protected]
In the meantime, in Shropshire, households on a low revenue and claiming sure advantages together with Common Credit score might apply for assist price as much as £180 in November.
If you stay in Wales, you can get assist by means of its authorities’s scheme.
