Portsmouth’s family voucher scheme is back – offering support for low-income families who weren’t eligible for a voucher through their school.
£50 supermarket food vouchers are available for families with children aged 0-19, and to households with someone 20 weeks or more pregnant, if their total household income is £1,870 a month or less (in the month before applying, excluding benefits and tax credits).
It’s open to families who’ve already received food vouchers for school-age children, but who have other children who are aged 0-4 or 16+, as well as families with a low income who don’t qualify for free school meals. It’s also open to families with home educated children.
People will need to apply, the scheme is open until Thursday 25 September (closes 12 noon). It’s being funded through the Government’s Household Support Fund, and funding is limited, so could close early.
The council is also about to open another window of applications for its Exceptional Hardship Scheme for residents in extreme financial hardship.
Details of both the voucher and hardship scheme and how to apply are online: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/household-support
HAF Fun Pompey
Families with children who receive benefits-related free school meals can also sign them up to be part of the HAF Fun Pompey summer programme, which this year features more activities than ever as well as tasty food, all for free. Find out more and sign up on the HAF Fun Pompey webpage
Portsmouth City Council leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“We continue to help Portsmouth people who need financial help, and this is one of a number of schemes, specifically aimed at helping families.
“Last year we delivered £106,000 of support to 1,968 children and pregnant women through this voucher scheme, and we know our residents continue to need support as the cost of living crisis continues.
“I strongly encourage people to apply for the support available, or to contact our cost of living hub for advice about what help is available.”
People can find out who is eligible for this scheme and how to apply, as well as other help available from the Household Support Fund, at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/household-support.
Help to apply
Anyone unable to complete an application online and upload copies of their evidence documents, can get support by calling our Household Support Fund Helpline on 023 9268 8010. Anyone applying by phone will need to bring their evidence documents to the Civic Offices to be scanned.
Families are not eligible to apply for children who were receiving free school meals in June and should have received a voucher from their school. Eligible families who did not receive a voucher from their school in June/ July should contact their school.