Thousands of households across Leicestershire are set to receive a vital financial boost this festive season, with supermarket vouchers worth up to £170 being distributed to help with food costs.
Emergency Support for Families
The support comes from the Department for Work and Pensions' Household Support Fund, which local authorities are using to aid residents struggling with the cost of living. Leicestershire County Council has been allocated £6.4 million from this national pot, which it must distribute to eligible families before the scheme ends on 31 March 2026.
As part of its local scheme, the council has confirmed it will be issuing electronic supermarket vouchers directly to qualifying households. This direct help is intended to ease pressure on family budgets during the winter months.
How Much Can You Get?
The vouchers are calculated on a per-person, per-week basis for a maximum period of two weeks. The council has set the following rates:
- £20 per adult, per week.
- £15 per child, per week.
This means a typical family of four, with two adults and two children, could receive a total of £170 to spend on groceries. The vouchers are designed to provide short-term, immediate assistance for food shopping.
How to Claim and Where to Spend
Eligible households will receive instructions on how to claim their vouchers online. The council warns that the provided code must be used in one go to obtain the full voucher value. Once issued, the vouchers will be valid for three months from the date they are sent by the council's provider, Evouchers.
The council has also made provisions for those without internet access or a mobile device to store the e-vouchers. If applicants have no friends or family who can help, the vouchers will be sent to the professional who submitted their application on their behalf.
The food vouchers can be redeemed at a wide range of major supermarket chains, giving families flexibility to shop where it is most convenient. The participating retailers are:
- Aldi
- Asda
- B&M
- Farmfoods
- Iceland
- Marks & Spencer
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury’s
- Tesco
- Waitrose
This initiative represents a crucial strand of local support for residents in the East Midlands facing financial hardship. Families are encouraged to engage with the council or supporting professionals to access the help available to them through this fund.
