HARD-pressed families are being urged to check if they're eligible for vital support as application deadlines loom. Councils across England are distributing grants and vouchers worth up to £225 to help cover essential food and energy costs. This funding is part of the government's £421million Household Support Fund (HSF) initiative, designed to provide targeted relief to those most in need. Each local authority gets a different proportion of cash depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.

This means the voucher or grants on offer will vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you. While the latest funding for the scheme is set to end on March 31, a handful councils are already closing their applications within weeks. For example, those living in North Yorkshire have until February 13 to apply for supermarket vouchers worth £150. Other deadlines will closely follow.

We've rounded up the nine councils set on closing their applications for the scheme in February. If you live in any of these areas, it's vital to act quickly to ensure you don't miss out on this crucial support. 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. North Yorkshire Council is dishing out e-vouchers worth £150 to thousands of households that can be spent at nine retailers. Everyone who is eligible should have received a letter by January 21. This letter includes information about how to claim and use the e-voucher. You will be eligible if you were getting the maximum discount to pay your council tax bill through the means-tested Council Tax Reduction Scheme as of December 1, 2024.

You will not be eligible for the Household Support Fund if you only get the 25% single person council tax discount for households where only one adult is living in the property. People who are eligible will get a single Household Support Fund e-voucher payment to pay for food and other essentials over the coming months. Those eligible will be able to choose from nine different supermarkets: Aldi, ASDA, Farmfoods, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

Only ASDA, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose offer both in-store and online shopping. You must redeem the code in your letter to access your vouchers by visiting northyorks.select-essentials.co.uk before February 13. Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) manages the Household Support Fund (HSF) on the councils behalf. Struggling families can apply for household grants to help with food and fuel bills.

To qualify for the Household Support Fund (HSF), you:. Applications close for good on February 21. In the meantime customers can find out more about the help available by visiting citizensadvicebcp.org.uk/projects/household-support-fund. Bedford Council is currently taking applications for struggling pension-age customers, as well as households with families. If you're over the state pension age and in receipt of council tax support, you can apply for a free £150 grant paid directly into your bank account.

The council is also accepting applications from households where the council tax payer is of working age, dependent children are included in the household, and are in receipt of a council tax support claim. These households can also apply for a £150 cash grant, paid directly into their bank accounts. The deadline to apply for both forms of funding is February 28. To find out more, visit bedford.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/grants-and-funding/household-support-fund-2024-25.