CASH IN
Thousands of families on eight different benefits could be eligible for free £300 one-off payment to help with bills
Watch our video above on what help you might be eligible for
THOUSANDS of households on eight different benefits may qualify for a free £300 payment to help with the cost of living.
The aid comes via the Household Support Fund which has been shared between councils in England.
1
The latest round of the fund is worth £421million and each local authority can decide how it distributes its share.
That means it can be a postcode lottery as to what you are entitled to, although in most cases you will qualify for help if you are on benefits, a low income or classed as vulnerable.
Hillingdon Council in London is dishing out £2million worth of support to residents in need.
Grants worth £300 are being handed out to people living in a household with children under the age of 19.
Read more in Money
The same children must attend a school in the Hillingdon area and those in the household must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- income support
- income-based jobseeker's allowance
- income-related employment and support allowance
- the guaranteed element of pension credit
- child tax credit (providing you are not also entitled to working tax credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190)
- working tax credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit)
- universal credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you receive
- housing benefit and/or council tax reduction.
Residents may also qualify for help with essential household items due to "exceptional hardship".
The authority hasn't said what type of household items you will qualify for, but it will likely be fridges, microwaves and more.
Most read in Money
Applications will be assessed on you being in financial hardship, not being able to replace essential appliances and living in Hillingdon.
You can't apply for the above assistance if you have received help from the Household Support Fund in the last 12 months.
How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills
Any household items will be provided directly by suppliers, or a voucher may be emailed to you to redeem with a supplier.
If you live with a spouse or partner, you have to make a joint application for your household.
Whether you qualify will depend on your joint income and savings.
You won't be eligible for support if you have more than £500 in money, savings or investments.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £500million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
You can apply via Hillingdon Council's website.
What about if I don't live in Hillingdon?
The latest round of Household Support Fund has to be allocated by councils by the end of September this year, but some started giving out help from April when the round started.
That means you might have missed your chance to qualify for help if you live outside of Hillingdon.
The best thing to do, especially if you are struggling financially or on benefits, is to approach your local council to see if you qualify for any help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool.
Depending on where you live, you may have to actively apply for help, or it may be distributed to you automatically.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is issuing £200 payments automatically to households, for example.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Leeds City Council is sending eligible households letters containing a barcode which can be taken to the nearest Post Office and redeemed for cash.
Cambridgeshire Council is issuing payments worth up to £220 to households via bank transfer.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Topics