Local councils across England are distributing money from the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) £742million Household Support Fund as families continue to face pressure from rising everyday living costs.
The scheme provides eligible households with support covering essential expenses such as food and energy bills during the winter period, with funding confirmed to run until March 31.
In Surrey, residents can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £300 through the council’s Everyday Essentials E-voucher programme, which is funded directly through the DWP allocation.
The initiative is designed to help residents who are struggling to afford essential items including groceries and toiletries as part of wider cost of living support measures.
Each local authority decides independently how its allocation is distributed, meaning the level and type of support available differs depending on where households live across England.
Surrey’s scheme allows recipients to spend their vouchers at Tesco, or alternatively choose from Aldi, Asda, Farmfoods, Iceland, The Food Warehouse, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
The payment amount depends on household structure, with single adults eligible for £200 while households with children can receive the maximum £300 payment.
Households are restricted to claiming one voucher through the programme during each application period set by the council.
February’s application window reached capacity after opening on February 3, meaning new applicants must now wait until the next scheduled release.
Households to get £300 cost of living payment for shopping at nine major supermarkets | GETTY/PA
Applications are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday March 4 at 1pm, according to Surrey County Council guidance.
Surrey County Council has confirmed voucher numbers are capped each month, meaning residents may need to prepare applications in advance due to high demand.
To qualify for Surrey’s vouchers, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have household savings averaging £2,000 or less across a 90-day assessment period.
Applicants must also have a total annual household income below £27,007.50 before tax and other deductions are applied.
Once issued, vouchers can be used flexibly depending on retailer policies and individual household purchasing needs.
Household Support Fund 2026 vouchers and payments explained across England
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GETTYSurrey County Council said: “Depending on your choice of supermarket, you can either redeem your E-voucher online, via your phone in store or by printing off your E-voucher and using in store.”
The council added: “You do not have to redeem your E-voucher all in one go. You have at least one year to redeem your E-voucher.”
Exact expiry dates vary depending on retailer and are made available through the E-voucher portal once an application has been approved.
Because the Household Support Fund is delivered independently by each local authority, the form of assistance available varies widely across different parts of the country.
In Staffordshire, eligible households can receive a one-off £300 payment which is sent directly to their utility provider to help cover energy costs.
In Calderdale, residents can apply for up to two separate payments of £85, providing a potential combined total of £170 in support.
North Lincolnshire has offered pensioners free kitchen appliances including air fryers, slow cookers and kettles.
The DWP has said local authorities may also vary in eligibility criteria and whether residents must apply directly, as some councils distribute funding through local charities and community organisations.
In Nottingham, eligible residents can apply for £100 supermarket vouchers funded through the Household Support Fund scheme.
Doncaster Council in South Yorkshire is offering qualifying households up to £300 towards food costs, with some residents also able to apply for an additional £100 contribution towards energy bills.
Waitrose are among the participating retailers
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In Cambridgeshire, the county council is providing £110 to eligible households either through direct bank payments or supermarket vouchers depending on individual circumstances.
Manchester operates a separate model, with residents receiving Council Tax support alongside a disability benefit eligible for payments of up to £130 towards living costs.
Some councils restrict applications to once per year, meaning households are advised to check individual local authority criteria before submitting claims.
The Household Support Fund remains one of the Government’s primary cost of living support measures delivered through local authorities across England.