HELPING HAND
Thousands of households can claim £100 cost of living voucher towards food and energy – but you must apply soon
You could miss out if you delay applying for the cash
THOUSANDS of households can claim a £100 cost of living voucher towards food and energy.
The cash support, which can be claimed as support for energy and food bills, is available through the government's Household Support Fund.
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The scheme works by handing councils up and down the country a slice of funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
Each local authority gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.
The voucher or grant amounts vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
And now, thousands of residents in Kent are lined up to receive £500.
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Locals can apply for a £100 energy support, £100 food voucher, £60 food voucher and £40 energy support.
Kent County Council residents aged 16 or over can apply for the support, who have a household income of less than £40,000 per year, including benefits and employment income.
Applications will close on Wednesday 4 September 2024 at 12pm, or once the funds have been spent.
What if I don't live in the catchment area
To get the help, you'll need to check with your council - as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
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To find your local council, use the
Once you've found your council, there should be information on how to apply on its website.
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.
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 it's best to ring them up and ask for more information.
What are other councils offering?
Residents in Blackpool can receive up to £300 in support from the Household Support Fund.
Those living in Bracknell Forest could be eligible for a £315 cash grant.
Low-income households in Cambridgeshire can apply for a financial award of £110 per household.
Those living in Falkirk in receipt of a council tax reduction, housing benefit, Universal Credit, income support, jobseekers allowance or pension credit can apply for up to £470 in cash support.
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Middlesbrough is awarding hard-up families up to £70.
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.
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