Households across North Yorkshire are being given more support to help them cope with the cost of living crisis, with a coordinated response highlighting the range of options available.

For anyone struggling to pay for food and other essentials, there are local schemes and organisations in North Yorkshire which may be able to help. Information about emergency financial support, managing debt, benefit entitlement, energy bills and staying connected can be found all in one place on our cost of living page.

Supermarket vouchers are also available to help pay for food and other essentials over the coming months through the Household Support Fund.

The fifth phase of the Household Support Fund has been extended to more than 21,000 people who are eligible across the county. The scheme will provide a one-off payment in supermarket e-vouchers to ease the pressure of high food and energy prices that are continuing to affect millions of people across the country.

Vouchers are available to residents who were getting the maximum discount to pay their council tax bill through the means-tested council tax reduction scheme as of 1 June, 2024. They will receive a single e-voucher for £140.

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The Household Support Fund was set up by the previous Government to help people who are struggling with the increase in living costs and feeling the financial pressure of paying their bills. Tens of thousands of households in North Yorkshire have already benefitted from the first four rounds of the fund.

Our executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, said: “Families are continuing to face immense financial challenges in North Yorkshire, like all parts of the country, with high energy and food bills.

“I would urge anyone who is eligible to make sure they do redeem their voucher by Monday, 5 August.”

As with earlier rounds of the Household Support Fund, eligible households have been sent a letter from us containing an individual code. This code allows them to download a supermarket e-voucher quickly and easily through the online portal, with the option of a printed version.

Most people redeem their voucher through the user-friendly process without any assistance, but council staff are on hand to support residents over the phone, by e-mail or in person at seven main council offices. Staff and volunteers at 42 libraries in North Yorkshire have also been offering face-to-face support to people who do not feel confident in accessing their vouchers online.

See more information about the Household Support Fund, including eligibility.

As well as supermarket vouchers, the latest round of the Household Support Fund has also been used to supplement other schemes which will help residents with their household costs. This includes support for foodbanks and other schemes providing free food across the county.

A further £100,000 has been invested in the North Yorkshire local assistance fund which provides emergency support with food, utilities and other essential items to households struggling financially.

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In the 2023/24 financial year, the scheme received 13,302 applications with 19,452 individual awards being made. For 2024/25, more than 3,000 North Yorkshire local assistance fund applications have been made so far.

A fund managed by North Yorkshire Citizens Advice and Law Centre, which helps people struggling to pay their energy bills, has received an additional £250,000.

Another source of financial support that many people benefit from is Pension Credit, which gives anyone over state pension age and on a low income extra money to help with living costs.

The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that in North Yorkshire there are more than 6,000 people who are eligible and currently missing out.

As well as extra money every week, people who qualify for Pension Credit will also be able to get other benefits like a free TV licence if they are over 75 and help to pay for NHS dental treatment.

See more details about eligibility or use the Pension Credit calculator.

People can also call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469.