Nationwide £500 Cost of Living Help to Land in August for Struggling UK Families
Relief is on the way for households across the country as Nationwide cost of living support is set to roll out again this August, and Ribble Valley is one of the councils stepping up to distribute funds.
Families battling rising expenses could soon receive a boost of up to £500 in supermarket vouchers. The payments come as part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Household Support Fund (HSF), aimed at easing the financial pressure on low-income households.
Applications Reopen Mid-August
Ribble Valley Borough Council (RVBC) has confirmed that applications for the next phase of support will reopen on 18 August 2025.
The council explained: “The Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021, to support those most in need during winter, the first phase of the scheme ended on 31 March 2022. To date, there have been 6 rounds of this fund.”
Lancashire County Council (LCC) has received over £17 million to distribute via the scheme, precisely £17,057,602.21. From this, a share of £158,983.89 has been allocated directly to RVBC to support its residents.
The focus is on helping those genuinely struggling to get by. Households with a total income under £35,000 per year are eligible to apply. The scheme provides food vouchers, with £200 available to single-adult households and £300 for those with two or more adults.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Extra Help for Families With Kids
Families with children will receive a further £500 payment. This applies to any household with a child under 19, or where a child-related benefit is received, including Child Benefit or Free School Meals (FSMs).
RVBC clarified: “Priority will be given to new applications into the scheme.” In other words, if you haven’t received help in the past round, this is your chance.
“Households who received a voucher as part of the HSF5 application round (April 2024 to September 2024) will only be eligible for a voucher, subject to sufficient funding, after 1 October 2025.”
“If you and/or your household received a voucher as part of the HSF6 application round (October 2024 to March 2025), you are ineligible to apply for this funding round.”
This support is not automatic. Eligible households must apply through their local council’s website once the window opens. And given the limited funds, its expected demand will be high.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, check with your local authority or visit the RVBC site for the full eligibility criteria once the scheme reopens.
In addition to this, another bonus of £554 has recently been launched to assist households amid rising bills. It’s a separate scheme worth knowing about. Read how the £554 payment is being rolled out and who can claim it.
This latest round of support shows councils across the UK, like Ribble Valley, are continuing efforts to tackle financial hardship nationwide.
Stay alert on 18 August, it might make all the difference.
