Thousands of struggling households can get £140 in free cash for energy bills – key move to make

THOUSANDS of households under the cosh can get £140 in free cash for energy bills if they just make one move.

Although the news is music to the ears of most, not everyone is able to benefit from the money.

Coventry City Council has unveiled its version of the Household Support Fund which will see money for fuel, energy, and water being given out to those in need.

Single people or childless couples can receive £120 and families can receive £140.

This support will be paid to cover a period of two months in a single payment.

This means people can apply up to a maximum of three times over the lifetime of the Scheme.

Applications will be open from Tuesday April 30 until September 30 2024.

What is it for?

The fund can be used to provide support with essentials linked to energy and water.

The priority for the grant is to help with the following, according to Coventry City Council.

• to pay for energy bills such as gas, electricity, oil, and water/sewerage bills
• support with food.

Although it may be able to help with:

• purchasing essential household items like fridges, freezers, and ovens
• providing wider household support not linked to energy and water.
• essential items such as toiletries and sanitary products
• heating/lighting repairs
• cases of genuine emergency where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need, the fund can be used to support housing costs.
• eligibility for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)

Applications for support can be made online by completing a form on the council website.

Households may need to send in proof of their financial hardship to support their application.

It comes as hard-up households claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.

The support is dished from a pot worth £421million by the Department for Work and Pensions.

What you can get depends on where you live but the cash could be as a direct cash transfer or shopping vouchers.

Amounts vary and it is up to the local council as to how the money is distributed.

The fund is usually given out based on your financial circumstances and what benefits you receive.

It's designed to help the most hard-up families struggling with the cost of living.