The UK government has allocated £2.3 million to North Somerset through the Household Support Fund to help vulnerable families cope with rising living costs. As part of this initiative, households with children eligible for free school meals will automatically receive £100 food vouchers in June 2025.
This support aims to ease financial pressures on families by providing direct assistance for food and other essentials. The scheme also includes additional vouchers for households receiving council tax reductions, reflecting a targeted effort to assist those most affected by economic challenges.
Automatic Food Vouchers for Children on Free School Meals
Families in North Somerset with children entitled to free school meals will receive a £100 food voucher per eligible child, according to local council announcements. These vouchers are distributed automatically by schools and require no application from parents or guardians.
The payments will be made in June 2025 and cover the period up to March 2026. For example, a household with two eligible children will receive £200 in vouchers. The scheme excludes children who receive universal free school meals at key stage one but do not qualify outside that scheme.
This distinction aims to focus support on families facing greater financial hardship, as eligibility for free school meals beyond the universal offer is means-tested. The funding for these vouchers is part of the Household Support Grant, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (dwp).
Additional Support for Council Tax Reduction Recipients and Vulnerable Households
In addition to the vouchers for children, households receiving council tax reductions and classified as either working age or pensionable will receive £50 vouchers in june 2025 and january 2026. These vouchers will be sent by email, provided the council holds the correct contact details.
The local authority emphasises that the £2.3 million grant also supports other vital services aimed at vulnerable households. These include fuel banks, handyman services, and fuel top-up schemes operated by organisations such as the Salvation Army.
The funding intends to assist with essential costs including food, energy, and water, reflecting a multi-faceted approach to alleviating financial strain.
Residents of North Somerset struggling with immediate financial needs may also apply separately for cost of living payments tailored to their circumstances. The council manages these applications, which consider the claimant’s financial hardship and resource availability.
This scheme illustrates how local councils are deploying government funding to target assistance to those most in need, amid ongoing cost of living challenges in the uk. According to the council, the support will continue through to march 2026, adapting as necessary to meet household demands.
