Local councils are giving out cash, vouchers and food to those in need as part of the Household Support Fund.
Tesco, Asda, Aldi, M&S and Sainsbury's are among the stores accepting the vouchers.
The fund will support households in the most need with food, energy and water costs and is available until 31 March 2022.
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It will be distributed in the form of grants and vouchers handed out by councils in England and how councils allocate the cash is up to them.
Local authorities will set their own eligibility criteria, as well as deciding what the money can be spent on.
Some councils allow the cash, of up to £275 per household, to be spent in places like Morrisons, as well as in some non-food retailers like Halfords and Argos.
Other locations will give out food, not cash.
Meanwhile some other local authorities are giving out cash of up to £100 per household with no restrictions on where it is spent.
You don't need to be on benefits to get the money, but your council does have to decide that you are 'vulnerable'.
Experts have said the new fund won't be enough to plug the gap in household income as major government help schemes end.
The Household Support Fund replaces the Covid local support grant - where families could get up to £1,500 to pay for food, bills and more.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation deputy director Helen Barnard previously said: "The support available through this fund is provided on a discretionary basis to families facing emergency situations.
"It does not come close to meeting the scale of the challenge facing millions families on low incomes as a cost-of-living crisis looms and our social security system is cut down to inadequate levels."
To find out if you are eligible and where you can spend the cash, contact your local council.
You can track down your local council and its contact details using this website.
If you're successful in your application, then you'll get your vouchers or payments within 10 working days.
They could also be emailed to you if you've provided an email address, so keep an eye on your inbox.
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