Vital financial support is on the way for eligible households across England, with £300 Cost of Living payments scheduled to arrive from early February. The funding is distributed via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund, administered by local authorities.
Eligibility and Application Details
In Surrey, one of the councils managing the scheme, the initial January application window for the Everyday Essentials E-Voucher scheme has now closed after reaching capacity. However, the next opportunity to apply will open on Tuesday 3 February at 1pm.
The scheme offers a one-off payment per household, with the amount dependent on family size. A £200 voucher is available for single-person households, while households with children can receive £300.
To qualify, applicants must be a resident aged over 18 living in Surrey. They must have average household savings of £2,000 or less over a 90-day period and an annual household income below £27,007.50 before tax and deductions.
How the E-Voucher Scheme Works
The Everyday Essentials E-Voucher is an online voucher designed to help with the purchase of daily necessities. Successful applicants can redeem it at a supermarket of their choice from a list of participating retailers.
The monthly application windows will remain open from Wednesday 1 October 2025 until Tuesday 31 March 2026. Eligible residents must apply via their local council website during these designated periods.
Where You Can Spend the Voucher
The voucher can be used at nine major supermarket chains, but with specific restrictions on what can be purchased. It is intended solely for food and toiletries.
The participating supermarkets include:
- Aldi (not usable online or for alcohol)
- Asda (not usable in petrol stations or for tobacco/phone top-ups)
- Farmfoods
- Iceland
- Morrisons (not usable in Morrisons Daily stores or fuel stations; in-store only)
- Sainsbury's (not usable in petrol stations, pharmacies, or for prohibited items like gift cards and lottery tickets)
- Tesco (not usable in petrol stations; in-store only)
- Waitrose
Important restrictions apply universally: The voucher cannot be used to buy gift cards, lottery tickets, scratch cards, alcohol, tobacco, phone top-ups, or fuel. Always check the specific redemption rules for your chosen supermarket before shopping.
This targeted support aims to provide a crucial lifeline for families and individuals facing continued pressure from high living costs, helping them cover fundamental household expenses.
