HELPING HAND
Thousands of households can get a free energy or water bill grant worth £500 in the New Year
We've also explained how to apply
THOUSANDS of struggling households can apply for grants worth up to £500 to help pay off their energy and water debts in 2025.
The cash support is available through the government's Household Support Fund (HSF).
1
In October, the government extended the scheme for the sixth time, releasing £421 million to be distributed among councils.
This funding is now being allocated to vulnerable residents from now until March 2025.
Each local authority gets a different proportion of cash depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.
This means the voucher or grants on offer will vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
Read more in money
For example, struggling residents and families who live in Solihull can apply for free cash grants worth hundreds of pounds.
Subject to funding and eligibility criteria, this fund can offer qualifying residents two forms of support.
This could be financial help in the form of energy vouchers and energy payment for gas, electricity, water or to top up an oil or LPG tank (not bottles) or solid fuel.
The total amount available under this part of the help is £147.
Most read in Money
However, other customers could qualify for a £500 payment towards debts with their energy or water provider.
All homeowners, private rented tenants, and social housing tenants can apply for energy vouchers or energy payments if they:
- Live in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull
- Have a combined gross household income of no more than £31,000 per year
- Have no household savings (pensioners can have up to £5000 in savings per pensioner)
- Have someone living in the home with a vulnerability
Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence
Here's a full list of vulnerabilities considered by the council:
- Long term diagnosed and treated health conditions (physical or mental) e.g. COPD
- Households with unmanageable debts (i.e. debt has been passed to a debt collection agency, or you have a debt management plan in place)
- Disabled and in receipt of DLA or PIP
- In receipt of carer's allowance
- In receipt of housing benefit only (not as part of Universal Credit)
- In receipt of council tax support (not single-person discount)
- In receipt of employment support allowance
- In receipt of limited capability for work related activities allowance
- In receipt of state pension
- In receipt of benefits related free school meals not universal free school meals
- Referral from a foodbank, school, charity/voluntary organisation, including Age UK & health care professionals
Application for the scheme will reopen at the beginning of January.
You can find out more by visiting actonenergy.org.uk/support/hsf-sol.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
What if I don't live in Solihull?
Not only households in Solihull are eligible for Household Support Fund.
For instance, Rotherham Council is now offering struggling families £250 grants to fight the cost of living.
You do not need to be on benefits to apply for the fund.
Newcastle Council has been awarded £2.9million to help struggling families this winter.
Some £950,000 of that fund will be given to those who are of pensionable age in receipt of council tax support or housing benefit and did not qualify for the winter fuel allowance.
Sandwell Council has also been allocated more than £3.4million for the period up to March 2025 to help struggling families.
The council is using the funds to give 4,000 low-income pensioners a £200 payment.
This payment will be sent to eligible households in a letter that can be cashed at a Post Office.
The Sun previously revealed a full list of councils providing extra support for pensioners this winter through the fund.
Who's generally eligible for the scheme?
The Household Support Fund is designed to help households in financial difficulty, particularly those on low incomes or those who don’t qualify for other forms of government assistance.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet due to rising living costs, you could be eligible for support.
The criteria you need to meet will vary depending on where you live.
You’ll likely need to prove your financial hardship when applying.
This can include showing evidence of your income, benefits or other forms of support you’re currently receiving.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
For example, if you’re receiving Universal Credit or a council tax reduction, you could qualify.
But even if you’re not on benefits, you may still be able to get help if you can demonstrate financial hardship.
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 £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a second time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a third extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fourth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
In September 2024, the Government announced a fifth extension and a further extension in October.
Topics