Two-week warning for households to claim an extra £150 in supermarket vouchers

British households have been given a two-week warning to claim an extra £150 in supermarket vouchers.

Portsmouth City Council has reopened its applications for the Household Support Fund (HSF) for low-income households in the area, but residents will have to act quickly.

That’s because the deadline is 14 days away, with applications due by noon on March 15, 2024.

However, due to limited funding, the Household Support Fund Family Vouchers may close earlier if all the money has been distributed.

Therefore, those eligible for the vouchers are advised to apply as soon as possible.

The first voucher was issued before the Christmas holidays to families with school-age children in Portsmouth in years R to 11, who are eligible for free school meals linked to the benefits.

However, lower-income families with children who were not eligible can now apply for their own voucher.

If you’re not sure if you qualify for the £150 supermarket vouchers, you’ll find all the information you need below.

You can apply for a Family Voucher Domestic Support Fund if you:

• Lives in the Portsmouth City Council area (PO1-PO6);
• receive child benefit for a child aged 0 to 19 years, or are at least 20 weeks pregnant;
• Have not received an £80 voucher for this child from a school between November 2023 and January 2024;
• Have a total earned and unearned income (excluding benefits and tax credits) from the household of less than £1,500 in the last month (or £1,385 in the last four weeks if you pay weekly).

If you are unable to complete an online application or upload proof of your circumstances online, you can make a telephone application by calling the council’s Domestic Support Fund helpline.

More information can be found at Portsmouth City Council website.

However, it’s not just Portsmouth where cash programs are offered to low-income families.

The extra help is being distributed by councils across the UK until March 31, although how much you can get will depend on where you live and your individual circumstances.

However, four more free cash schemes will start to close in the coming weeks, so act now to have the best chance of receiving up to £320 in extra living expenses.

Last month, Dorset Council announced it would reopen applications for the fourth round of the Household Support Fund for low-income households in the area.

Households can apply if they pay council tax to Dorset Council and have an annual net household income of less than £30,000.

However, personal independence benefits, such as disability benefits, care benefits, carers’ allowances or child benefits, should not be included in the calculation of net income.