HELPING HAND
Direct payments worth more than £500 for thousands of low-income households available now – can you get the help?
Read on to find out if you could be missing out on benefits
THOUSANDS of low-income families can get direct payments worth more than £500.
Those struggling to make ends meet could be eligible for the cash from a huge fund helping people with the rising cost of living – but you'll have to act fast.
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Low-income households in Bath & North East Somerset can get a huge helping hand thanks to a local council HSF scheme dishing out cash and vouchers to those who need it most.
The Discretionary Crisis Fund is up and running now, offering vital support to thousands of residents battling to keep their heads above water.
If you're living in the area and struggling to pay for life’s essentials, listen up – you could be in for a payout.
But you need to get your skates on because the clock is ticking, with the deadline looming on September 30.
Benefits
Depending on your situation, you could receive up to £500 direct into your bank account.
That’s not all – if you’ve got kids in school and are already receiving benefit-related Free School Meals, you’ll automatically get vouchers to help cover the cost of feeding the family during the school holidays.
But it's not just cash – the fund also provides crucial support through its partner organisations.
Whether it’s help with food, fuel, or energy bills, there’s a lifeline available.
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WHO'S ELIGIBLE?
To get your hands on this cash, you need to be over 18 and living in Bath & North East Somerset.
Crucially, you’ll need to prove that you don’t have enough money to cover life’s essentials, and your savings pot must be less than £2,000.
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Thousands of people in the area could be eligible – so if you’re feeling the pinch, it’s well worth checking if you can apply.
The process is straightforward, and you can get started by heading to .
If you qualify for Free School Meals, vouchers will be sent to you automatically – no need to lift a finger.
For those who don't live in Bath & North East Somerset you don't have to worry.
What is HSF?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a pot of cash worth £421million that local councils give out to households on low income, but it varies based on where you live.
The support package was introduced by the Government in 2021, however it has been extended a number of times.
The fund provides financial assistance to families struggling with the cost of living.
You do not have to live in the area to gain access to the Household Support Fund.
Every council across the UK will have received funding for the support package, so if you are concerned about paying for bills or groceries contact your local council and enquire.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s best to check with your local authority.
They should have details of who’s eligible in your area, and you can use this to find out what’s available near you.
You can also use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to.
Every council across the UK will have received funding for the support package, so if you are concerned about paying for bills or groceries contact your local council and enquire.
You can locate where your local council is by using the Government's tool.
Some examples of what different areas are offering include in Plymouth, where the council said eligible residents can receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers.
This includes £240 in supermarket vouchers for either Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi, or Iceland, and £200 in energy vouchers.
It also includes an essential item of household furniture or white goods or £300 of clothing vouchers.
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Meanwhile, in Blackpool, households with one or two people - including children - will see £200 paid directly to their energy provider.
Those with three or more will get £300 paid towards their energy costs.
Are you missing out on benefits?
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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