Thousands of households can get £250 cost of living payment direct to bank accounts – how to apply

THOUSANDS of homes are able to get £250 paid directly into their bank accounts to help with the cost of living.

Under the Household Support Fund scheme struggling Brits in North Northamptonshire can claim the money to help ease the burden of rising prices and energy bills.

Anyone who is in work but earning less than £400 a week net – after tax but including any benefits, could be eligible.

They also cannot have received the Cost of Living Payment which totalled £650.

Any successful applicant will get an initial payment of £125 followed by another equal amount automatically 60 days later.

Brits wanting to apply will need to provide two of your most recent monthly pay slips or four of your most recent weekly pay slips, depending on how you are paid and how long you have been in work.

You will also need to provide proof of identity, such as a recent bank statement, driving licence or recent utility bill.

The entire Government scheme is worth £421million and has been extended until March 2023 to help vulnerable households.

The fund was launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid a cost of living crisis.

Councils up and down the country got a slice of the money available to dish out to Brits in need.

The money you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.

Families who live in Shropshire can get £180 in vouchers to help with food and essentials.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has revealed that thousands of households can get up to £200 direct into their accounts.

While families could get £300 in vouchers that can be put towards paying off bills if they live in York.

Residents eligible for the scheme who live in Middlesborough could get between £50 and £100.

Ashford Borough Council is using its share of the fund to make bank transfers to eligible households worth £200.

Residents in North Yorkshire should have started receiving letters in the post from last month about free £325 supermarket vouchers.

Meanwhile, Guildford Borough Council sent out letters to households in line for payments worth up to £400 before Christmas.

To get the help, you'll need to check with your local council - as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.

To find your local council, use the 

Each council will have a different application process - so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.

That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary - it's best to check with your local council for more details.

Some councils won't require you to apply for the help and they'll contact you about it instead if you qualify.

If there's no information on your council's website, then its best to ring them up and ask for more information.