Just HOURS left for parents to claim free food vouchers and cash worth up to £500

PARENTS have just hours to claim free food vouchers and cash worth up to £500.

The support comes via the Government's Household Support Fund, which will close its current round today, March 31.

This round was worth £42million and was shared with councils across England.

That means how much you can get depends on where you live, however if you are on a low income or claiming benefits then you have a high chance of qualifying for support.

While, this current round is coming to a close, the scheme has been extended to run again between April and March 2026.

Many councils have already dished out support, but there are still a few authorities giving households a chance to claim.

Support ranges from free vouchers for food and cash valued up to £500.

To claim, you will need to live in the council handing out the support.

You can find what council area you fall under by visiting www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

CAMDEN COUNCIL

This London council is still giving households a chance to claim £500 in cost of living cash, but you will need to be quick.

The support is available to those in an “emergency financial situation”.

The deadline to apply for the support ends today, giving households just a few hours to submit their application.

To apply for the support you need to register for the council's Money Advice Service.

You can do this by visiting, www.camden.gov.uk/request-money-advice-and-support.

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council residents also only have a few hours to claim household support payments worth £200.

If you have made a successful claim before, you will not be accepted this time.

For example, if you received a £200 payment on May 31, 2024, you cannot make another application until June 1, 2025.

The council said making the payments to those “financial hardship”, particularly those struggling to cover the cost of food and energy.

If your claim is successful, you should be contacted within four weeks to complete the process.

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL

Today is also the last day struggling residents in Salford can apply for help.

The council says you don't need to be receiving benefits to apply, however you will need to provide evidence you don't have enough money to pay for food, fuel or energy.

Any support is issued via vouchers not cash payments.

But bear in mind if you have already received support from this scheme, you won't be accepted this time around.

WHAT OTHER SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?

The next round of funding for struggling households should open next month.

But if you are facing financial hardship you should be aware of support available to you.

For example you could get support worth up to £2,000 through the British Gas Energy Support Fund.

You can apply if you are a British Gas or Scottish Gas energy customer who is struggling to pay your bill and have sought financial advice.

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales, have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the last year and have a credit or prepayment meter with an outstanding account debt.

To apply visit britishgasenergy trust.org.uk/grants-available.

Those worried about hikes to council tax should also see if they are eligible for a reduction.

Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.

Also it does not matter whether you own your home or rent, anyone who is struggling financially can apply.

Elsewhere, those worries about rising water bills should apply for help.

Social tariffs are available to hard-up households and cut costs by as much as 90%.

But how help you can receive depends on where you live.

The most recent figures from Consumer Council for Water (CCW)show a £262 difference between the highest and lowest amount handed out in 2023/24.

To read more about reducing your water bill click the link here.