It’s one of a number of initiatives launched by councils across the UK that are using funding from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund. Surrey’s scheme was set up for residents who “may be finding it difficult to afford essentials like food and toiletries (period products, soap and so on)”, the local authority says on its website. The Everyday Essentials E-Voucher provides one-off funding with one voucher per household permitted, and two levels of support depending on the size of your household.

• £200 for a single person household
• £300 for households with one child or more

The vouchers can be applied for during monthly application windows, open weekdays only Monday through to Friday, until all funding for that monthly funding window has been allocated.

The application window will then be closed until the following month. The current E-Voucher scheme application window opened on Tuesday, February 3. 

Residents have a limited time left to benefit, as the scheme will only be available until Tuesday, March 31 this year, or until all funds have been allocated.

The vouchers scheme is open to any resident over the age of 18 living in Surrey who:

• Has household savings of £2,000 or less on average over a 90-day period
• Has an annual household income below £27,007.50 before taxes and deductions

The council will need a clear understanding of residents financial circumstances to confirm that the support is needed, including details on the income and benefits of your partner if you live in the same household, the local authority said.

You may also have to provide evidence of household income and benefits if requested. The council notes that not applying does not guarantee support from the voucher scheme.

The E-vouchers can be redeemed at a number of major supermarkets including:

• ALDI
• Asda
• Farmfoods
• Iceland and The Food Warehouse (part of Iceland foods group)
• Morrisons
• Sainsbury’s 
• Tesco
• Waitrose

Rules about what the vouchers can be spent on, and how they can be spent, vary between them stores and in some cases store type.

You can find the full list of supermarkets and their rules, and how to apply for the support here.