Struggling households are being encouraged to apply for cost of living vouchers valued at up to £500 this summer. The Ribble Valley Borough Council is distributing this assistance through the Household Support Fund.
This fund consists of financial resources allocated to local councils by the central Government. Each council has the discretion to determine how best to utilize these funds to aid residents, typically offering either vouchers or non-repayable cash grants.
Ribble Valley Borough Council is providing food vouchers to eligible households with a combined annual income below £35,000. Individuals living alone can receive a £200 voucher, while households with two or more adults are eligible for a £300 voucher, and households with children can receive up to £500.
To address the ongoing cost of living challenges, the Mirror has introduced a dedicated Money WhatsApp community to deliver the latest cost-saving advice and tips directly to users’ phones. Interested individuals can join the community by clicking on the provided link and selecting ‘Join Chat.’
The application process for the vouchers is currently open on ribblevalley.gov.uk and will remain accessible until July 11, 2025, subject to funding availability. Residents who previously received vouchers between October 2024 and March 2025 are ineligible for this round but may qualify for future assistance after October 2025 if they received vouchers between April 2024 and September 2024.
For those outside Ribble Valley, it is advisable to explore the support options offered by local councils through the Household Support Fund. For instance, the City of Doncaster Council is assisting households receiving specific benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit, and free school meals.
Households with dependent children are eligible for varying payment amounts based on the number of children. Additionally, Hull City Council is providing £200 to pensioner households, while low-income families can receive a school uniform grant and food vouchers during school holidays.
Hartlepool Borough Council is distributing £100 food vouchers to households with children aged two to 19 eligible for free school meals. Moreover, households with pensioners receiving council tax support will receive £100 in bank payments or food vouchers this year.
