Families on lower incomes are to get more financial support from Portsmouth City Council, funded by the UK government’s Household Support Fund.
Supermarket food vouchers worth £60 will be sent out to eligible families. And the council will make vouchers available to even more Portsmouth families on lower income.
Families with eligible children in school in Portsmouth in years R to 11 will be given their vouchers automatically by their schools. To qualify for this, children need to be registered for benefits-related free school meals.
Other lower-income families who don’t receive a voucher automatically from their school will be able to apply for a voucher later this summer, when the council’s application-based scheme opens later in July. This includes families living in Portsmouth with children that attend school outside Portsmouth, or who are home educated.
Families can apply if their household take-home pay is below £1,800 per month and they are receiving Child Benefit for a child aged 0-19.
Families can register their interest at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/household-support and they will be contacted when the scheme opens.
Cllr Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said:
“The cost-of-living crisis is still hitting local families hard so I’m really pleased that we can continue to provide support. We know that every penny counts, and I’m sure these vouchers will make a difference.
“We’re working hard to get this support to the largest number of families as quickly as we can. Once schools have sent out vouchers to families who qualify automatically, we want other families to apply to us so they can benefit from vouchers too.”
Other support for families and individuals
- Other help will be available to families this summer through the HAF Fun Pompey holiday activities and food programme, which is now open for eligible families to book their places at www.pycportsmouth.co.uk/haffunpompey
- Households who are in severe financial hardship and need help to pay for essentials can also apply for an exceptional hardship payment at https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/household-support
- Families worried about the cost of food can join their local community larder or pantry to save money on their weekly food shop. And if you can’t afford to buy food, a food bank can help with emergency food parcels. More information on what is available is at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/helpwithfood
- To find more cost-of-living advice and help, residents can go to the council’s online cost of living hub: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/costofliving. It has information on topics including food, housing, energy bills, warm spaces, saving money and wellbeing. To talk to someone, call 023 9284 1047 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday or 9am to 4.30pm Friday.