Cost of living crisis food vouchers on offer for rural households

Struggling residents of East Lancashire's most rural borough can now apply for the latest round of government cost of living cash support.

Ribble Valley Council has opened up for applications for financial help from the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The authority has received £116,379 from the government in the latest round of funding.

Eligible households who need financial help and have a combined household income of less than £50,000 per year can apply for a food vouchers ranging from £200 to £500.

Nicola Hopkins, the council’s director of economic development, said: “This next round of funding will provide further support to residents most in need of help with significantly rising living costs.

“I would encourage everyone who is eligible to complete the application form as soon as possible.”

The following vouchers are available:

• £200 for single households;

• £300 for households with two or more adults; and

• £500 for households with children (a household with a child is a household with any person under the age of 19 at the time of the award or a person aged 19 or over who is the subject of a child-related benefit).

The scheme will run while funding is available and vouchers will be distributed on a first-come basis.

Only one application can be made per household.

Anyone who has received a voucher as part of the HSF round, which ran from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, including vouchers issued between April and June 2024, or who is eligible for the Government’s cost-of-living payments scheme, is not eligible to apply.

The Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021 and there have been several rounds of funding since then.

The Government announced in the spring budget that the fund would be extended for a further six months to September 30, with an additional £421 million for councils across the country, including £9.6 million for councils across Lancashire.

For further information or to apply for funding visit ribblevalley.gov.uk.