Are you an unpaid carer concerned about the rising cost of living?

Short term financial assistance is available from Hampshire County Council in the form of supermarket vouchers.

With the increased cost of living, everyday food and keeping warm can be an additional worry that unpaid carers could do without.  Andover Mind are working with Hampshire County Council to distribute supermarket vouchers to carers across our region, to help ease the load.

Being an unpaid carer can have a significant impact on your own health and wellbeing, finances and time, and can be difficult to juggle alongside other aspects of life. That’s why Hampshire County Council has allocated some household support funding to help unpaid carers directly via the provision of supermarket vouchers. If you are looking after or supporting a relative, friend or neighbour, who relies on your help to enable them to live their lives, then you can access this fund.

The vouchers can be used at a range of supermarkets/food shops, for food or other supermarket purchases such as clothing or blankets (some restrictions apply).  Vouchers can be used online and in person, with the monetary amount tailored according to circumstances. Further details will be explained when you get in touch.

Am I eligible for a voucher?

  • The vouchers are available to unpaid carers, of any age, so long as the person you help lives within the borders of Hampshire County Council.
  • You may be caring for a relative, friend or neighbour.
  • It is not means tested.

How to request a voucher?

If you would like to know more and/or to request a supermarket voucher, please get in touch with us by calling 01264 332297 or email  enquiries@andovermind.org.uk

Household Support Fund summary information:

The Government’s Household Support Fund is distributed by the Department of Work and Pensions through county and unitary councils to support households in the most need.  This funding period is for October 2022 to March 2023.  The Fund is intended to cover a wide range of low-income households in need, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people who would otherwise struggle with energy bills, food and water bills.  In Hampshire there are a range of different ways in which this funding is being utilised to support residents – the above voucher scheme is just one of these. The voucher scheme has limited designated funding – demand and take up will be monitored.

For more information on the Household Support Funding, including the Community Grant for organisations, please go to Hampshire County Council’s website: Support for Households – Connect4Communities

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