You may be eligible to get £195 free cash in latest household support fund, here's how

If you live in the Bracknell Forest area then you could be eligible for a £195 payment to help with grocery bills as part of the latest funding round of the Household Support Fund. The payment is available to those living in Bracknell Forest and is part of the cost of living voucher scheme designed to help struggling families. The money is being distributed by local councils but is part of a wider government initiative that sets aside money and other benefits for households in need across the country.

The Household Support Fund has £842 million being made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those who are struggling and to help with global inflationary challenges. It was due to end in March this year but has been extended until April 2024 in order to give households more support.

Cost of living voucher scheme

Families living in Bracknell Forest could be eligible for the one-off £195 supermarket voucher per child.

To apply, you must be in receipt of qualifying benefits and your child must meet one of the following criteria:

• child is under 5 years old in an early years setting
• child is 16 to 18 years old in full time education
• young person is aged 16 to 25 years old in full time education with an Education, Health and Care plan
• child is home educated
• child attends an out of borough school where they are not eligible for equivalent support from their education authority

A maximum of one £195 voucher per child will be awarded during the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, as per Bracknell Forest Council.

Read more:

⋙ Thousands set to get €200 cash boost, check if you're eligible

⋙ DWP announces major change for some claiming benefits: Check if you’re affected

Free school meals

Families who are struggling can also receive vouchers for free school meals with eligible kids getting a supermarket voucher for the school holidays.

The amount awarded will range from £15 to £30 - here is what the children will get and when, as per The Sun:

• £15 in May 2023
• £90 in July 2023
• £15 in October 2023
• £30 in December 2023
• £15 in February 2024
• £30 in March 2024

You don't need to apply for these vouchers as they'll be distributed through schools.

Low-income households will also automatically receive a free £300 payment via prepaid MasterCard in November this year if they receive one or both of the following on October 31:

• income based council tax reduction
• housing benefit

If you don’t live in Bracknell Forest there could still be help available to you. Go to your local council checker tool to find out what support they are offering in your area.

Read more:

⋙ Thousands of households can apply for £190 free cash, check if you’re eligible

Sources used:

- Bracknell Forest Council 'Household Support Fund'

- The Sun 'Thousands of households can get £195 free cash to spend on supermarket shop – how to claim'

- Gov.uk 'Household Support Fund: guidance for local councils'