Kent County Council offers £100 food voucher amid cost-of-living crisis

Struggling families can claim a one-off £100 food voucher this summer as part of a scheme to counter the cost-of-living crisis.

The government initiative will finish on September 14 or if the money runs out before that date.

The Household Support Fund, run by Kent County Council (KCC), is aimed at people in need who have not been eligible for other recent support.

Families who receive free school meals are not eligible.

Help organisations such as Citizen Advice, NHS trusts and housing associations are also referring people.

KCC leader Cllr Roger Gough acknowledged pressure on household budgets is "immense".

He said: “Our priority is to ensure that no one in Kent is left behind as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect so many families across the county.

"For some, the pressures currently being exerted on personal budgets are immense and we want to make sure this funding gets to those who need it, who might not be getting any other support.

“The summer voucher scheme is aimed at people who might not be entitled to other forms of support, and, in some cases, have no idea that any form of financial help is available to them."

Successful applicants will receive the voucher by text or email, or by post as necessary, and is valid for 31 days.

It can be redeemed at a list of participating shops which can be selected at the application stage.

For more click here.

Cllr Gough added: “We know there are a great number of people in Kent who are eligible for these vouchers but they have so far not applied, possibly thinking they do not qualify.

“Together we will do everything we can to ensure that anyone who needs it can be supported by this scheme...”

"Many of these residents are being significantly hit by the rising cost of living but might fall between other eligibility criteria.

“I’d like to thank all of our partners across Kent for their continued help in making sure that this funding will reach those who need it the most.

“Together we will do everything we can to ensure that anyone who needs it can be supported by this scheme.”

A proportion of the funding pot has also been made available for Kent’s district and borough councils to put in place support schemes which target specific local needs across the county.

Applicants for the £100 food voucher must be 16 or over, be a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bromley, and Bexley), be in receipt of means-tested benefits, or household income less than £40,000 per annum before tax, not have savings above £1,000 and not be receiving free school meals support for any child within their household (they will be receiving a payment via their children’s school).