CASH IN
One-week warning for thousands of households to redeem £75 vouchers or risk missing out on free cash
Use our interactive map to see what support is available in your area
THOUSANDS of households have just a week left to redeem £75 of vouchers or risk missing out on free cash.
The money is available to help hard-up Brits through the cost of living crisis and can be used on food, energy and water bills.
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The payments are available from the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is administered by local councils using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions.
It was initially set up in 2021 to ease the cost of living burden and has been extended a further five times.
After the latest extension, a fresh round of £421million was allocated to local authorities across the country.
Eligible households can either receive payments automatically or apply directly to the council, depending on circumstances.
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If approved, they will then receive tax-free cash to go towards essential costs like shopping and utility bills.
However, thousands of applicants in Lancashire on have one week left to claim their money.
People living in areas controlled by Pendle Borough Council saw a flurry of 2,600 HSF vouchers worth £75 sent out in June.
But officials have confirmed that some of these have still not been redeemed.
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They are urging recipients to collect their cash before the September 7 deadline.
You should have received a letter entitling you to the money if you:
- live in the borough of Pendle
- be of pensionable age
- receive Council Tax Support
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Once you have the letter, all you have to do is go to the nearest Post Office with your ID and collect the funds.
And if you're unable to do so, you can get someone else to go on your behalf as long as they have all the documents.
What's available where you live and how to apply
What you can get depends on where you live.
Each area decides how to hand out the cash, who gets it, and how much.
In some areas it's vouchers for supermarkets or topping up energy on prepay meters. But for others cash payments are made and can be used for covering any bills, like rent, water or food.
Eligibility can also vary, but anyone who'd is struggling to get by is urged to apply.
The case is also dished out on a first come, first served basis, so it's best to apply sooner rather than late so you don;t miss out.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
Additionally, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
To find your local council, you can use the Government's tool.
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Once you've identified your local council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding online.
Every council has a separate application process, meaning specific details regarding how to apply depend on whereabouts you live.
Where is the HSF available?
Plymouth - up to £740
Plymouth City 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.
Blackpool - up to £300
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.
Middlesbrough - up to £70
People in the area who claim benefits and do not have children can apply for a £50 voucher. Those living alone will get up to £37.50 and couples will get £50. If there are children in your household, you'll get a voucher for £70 per child.
Leicestershire - up to £300
Households in Leicestershire can apply for £300 per household, which will be paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food. The payment can be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets.
Leeds - up to £100
Residents of Leeds who receive council tax support with dependent children can claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25. Eligible households will have received letters featuring a barcode that can then be taken to the post office along with ID to claim the cash.
Bracknell Forest - up to £315
Applicants could be eligible for a one-off £105 payment per child between now and September, if applicants meet the qualifying benefits.
Cambridgeshire County - up to £220
Low-income households in Cambridgeshire can apply for a financial award of £110 per household. Residents can apply twice for support between now and September 30, meaning each household could receive as much as £220. The funds can be paid in a lump sum of £110 or as vouchers.
Falkirk - up to £470
The amount residents can get under the HSF depends on the number of people in their household. A single adult will receive £110, with an additional £90 payment made for every further resident. For example, a couple with no dependent children would receive £200.
Stockport - up to £315
Stockport Council is giving out vouchers worth £105 to families struggling to pay for essentials. The fund is paid per child, so if you have three children you would be entitled to £315 worth of supermarket vouchers.
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