Hard-up households can apply for food vouchers worth up to £500 now – check if you qualify
The financial aid is part of the latest round of a Government scheme, and is designed to help hard-up families.
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The fund will help residents of Ribble Valley who are deemed eligible, with applications now open.
This latest round (HSF7) of the Government's Household Support Fund will see thousands of pounds given to those who need it.
Ribble Valley Borough Council has received £158,983 to issue to local residents who meet the funding criteria.
Households who need financial help and have a combined household income of less than £35,000 per year can apply for a food voucher.
These vouchers will range in value from £200 to £500, depending on circumstances.
Nicola Hopkins, the council's director of economic development and planning, spoke about the latest round of the iniative, which is designed to help with the rising cost of living.
'This latest round of funding will provide further much-needed support to local vulnerable residents who are most in need of help with the cost of essentials," she said.
The scheme will run while funding is available and vouchers will be distributed on a first-come basis.
So if you're a resident of Ribble Valley, check now to see if you qualify for this financial assistance.
Only one application can be made per household.
Priority is being given to new applicants, with households who received a voucher through HSF5 (April 2024-September 2024) only being eligible for HSF7 from October 1.
Meanwhile, anyone who received a voucher as part of the HSF6 round (October 2024-March 2025) will not be eligible to apply for this latest round of vouchers.
A series of vouchers are available as part of the scheme, depending on your household set-up.
Vouchers worth £200 will be alotted to single households, while £300 will be given to households with two or more adults.
Household with children, including any person under the age of 19 at the time of the award or a person aged 19 or over who is the subject of a child-related benefit, will receive a voucher worth £500.
Cost of living payments: what you need to know
HSF was introduced in October 2021 and there have been several rounds of funding since then.
In October 2024, the Government announced that HSF would be extended nationwide for a further 12 months, from April 2025.
Under HSF6, almost 300 households in Ribble Valley were issued supermarket vouchers totalling nearly £100,000.
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