Families in Leicestershire struggling with rising bills are receiving a direct boost through a new voucher scheme. The local council is distributing funds from the government's Household Support Fund to help residents cover essential food and utility costs.
What Support is Available?
Leicestershire County Council is offering targeted support for up to two weeks. The value of the vouchers depends on your household composition. For households with children, the scheme provides £20 per adult per week and £15 per child per week.
Single-adult households without children can receive £25 per week. Meanwhile, households with multiple adults and no children are eligible for £20 per adult per week. This means a family with two adults and one child could receive up to £140 in supermarket vouchers over a fortnight.
Who is Eligible and How to Apply
The scheme is designed for Leicestershire residents aged 16 or over who are experiencing genuine financial hardship. This includes struggling to afford food, heat their home, or pay other essential household bills.
The council has outlined strict criteria. Applicants must have their identity, address, and pensionable age verified by a professional support worker or agency using documents like a driving licence, passport, or utility bill. No direct applications from the public will be accepted; a referral must be made by a qualified professional.
Evidence of hardship can include difficulties due to high energy costs, recent redundancy before Universal Credit starts, or any other significant loss of household income. The council notes that even families who have received Free School Meal vouchers may still qualify for this additional support.
Where Can the Vouchers Be Spent?
Successful applicants will receive instructions on how to claim their vouchers online. These food vouchers are flexible and can be used at any of ten major supermarket chains, allowing families to choose the most convenient location.
The participating supermarkets are: Aldi, Asda, B&M, Farmfoods, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
The council stated: "Leicestershire County Council recognises that all households may potentially be suffering hardship and seeks to provide support... to any household that meets its criteria." This initiative represents a crucial lifeline for many local families during the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
