STRUGGLING families can get help paying for food and essentials this winter – and itcould be worth up to £275.
The Household Support Fund is a pot of £500m cash that is being handed out to hard-up Brits through local councils.
The cash comes as millions face growing pressure on household budgets from rising energy bills and food prices.
Each area is giving out the cash in different ways and in North Yorkshire there's electronic vouchers to help pay for food and other essentials at supermarkets.
The £275 payment is being handed out to residents who already get help with their council tax, and have a child age under 19 living at home.
Anyone eligible should have been sent a letter by North Yorkshire council with a code that's needed to apply for the help online.
This needs to be done by 28 February but in other areas there may be different deadlines, but it's best to apply sooner rather than later as there is a limited pot of cash.
Each council will also have different ways you can qualify, and the amounts being given out vary.
For example in Elmbridge in Surrey you can get a one-off payment of £100 to help pay for food and bills until Jan 31.
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And families in Barnsley can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £200.
To find out what help you can get where you live, you can find your local council using the search tool on gov.uk – just enter your postcode.
You can then see the help you can get from the Household Support Fund, who's eligible and how to apply.
In North Yorkshire if you haven't had a letter in the post about getting the £275 voucher and you think you are eligible, you can fill in the application form online and select the ‘I’ve lost my letter’ option.
Or you can contact the council and they will check for you on 01609 780780. You can also contact them if you're struggling to apply online, for instance if you don't have an email address.
The electronic voucher you get is worth £275, regardless of how many children you have or other circumstances.
You can spend this voucher at supermarkets, includingAldi, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Some supermarkets also accept them when shopping online as well as in store, and you can check the full list on North Yorkshire's website.
You'll have to select the supermarket voucher you want before March 31 and the voucher may also have a date you need to use it by, so check that too.
In other areas you'll find different rules apply for the help you can get, so check the details of the scheme where you live for more using the search tool above.
In some areas the fund may already have closed for applications, or could close before the stated deadline if there's high demand, so act fast so you don't miss out.
North Yorkshire council has also increased the amount people can get, as it was initially offering £250.
Anyone who's already applied will get a second payment worth £150, on top of the £125 they already got.
For those applying now, one payment for the full £275 voucher will be made.
If you're not eligible for the Household Support Fund cash then you might still be able to get other help from the council, government or charities.
Here's all the help you could get with energy bills as they are on the rise.
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