Hundreds issued urgent warning as they could miss out on £200 free cash to cover the cost of living
HUNDREDS of households have been urged to act fast to ensure they don’t miss out on £200 of free cash to help with living costs.
Low-income pensioners in Sandwell, West Mids, could claim financial support via the Household Support Fund.
The payments, funded through Sandwell Council's Household Support Fund (HSF), were distributed as vouchers in December to around 4,000 eligible households.
These vouchers, sent out with a letter, can be redeemed at local Post Offices, but must be cashed in by 19 March 2025.
The initiative targets older residents who qualify for a Council Tax Reduction but are not eligible for Pension Credit.
The vouchers are designed to provide much-needed support for those on low incomes who might otherwise miss out on financial aid schemes such as the Winter Fuel Payment.
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The council confirmed that more than 75% of the vouchers have already been redeemed.
However, there are still hundreds of households who are yet to claim their £200, prompting officials to issue a fresh warning about the looming deadline.
Deputy leader of Sandwell Council and cabinet member for finance and resources, Councillor Paul Moore, highlighted the importance of the scheme in alleviating financial pressure on vulnerable residents.
He urged those who have received the vouchers but have not yet redeemed them to visit their nearest Post Office as soon as possible.
Mr Moore said: “These payments are aimed at helping pensioners on low incomes who aren’t eligible for Pension Credit."
“The money will help many people with their fuel bills, groceries, or dealing with the cost of living generally.
“The majority of people who we have written to have cashed in their payments, but we’d urge anyone who hasn’t yet to make sure they take their letter to the Post Office as soon as possible.
"The vouchers are valid for three months, so they must be cashed in by 19 March.”
Eligible pensioners in Sandwell are being urged not to delay in cashing in their vouchers to ensure they benefit from this vital support.
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
Who qualifies for the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund is not limited to pensioners.
Financial support is available to struggling households and varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local council offers to ensure you are getting all the support you need.
The benefits you currently receive will not be affected by applying for the HSF.
And, you do not necessarily need to receive benefits in the first place to get vouchers or funds from the HSF.
What if you don't live in Sandwell?
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.
The help you can get varies, depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.
You may be able to receive free cash or vouchers to cover the cost of heating your home or the weekly food shop.
For those living in areas where no direct applications are required, councils often reach out to eligible residents automatically.
If you haven’t heard from your council but think you might qualify for help, contact them directly to avoid missing out.
This support comes as the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on millions of households, with energy costs and food prices remaining high despite government interventions.
Those eligible get a card which gets topped up with free cash that can be spent on food and other essentials at certain UK shops.
You can get the card topped up by as much as £442 a year, depending on your circumstances.
Those who are struggling with energy bills could get a grant from their energy firm, if they're falling behind on payments.
British Gas and Octopus Energy both have schemes that offer to pay you non-repayable grants.
Other energy companies are handing out freebies like electric blankets and air fryers, too, including Octopus Energy and EDF.
It's worth checking if you can get your council tax bill reduced or even wiped completely if you're on a low income or benefits too.
For example, single person households can get a 25% discount while pensioners on the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit can get up to 100% off.
Check if you qualify for benefits - billions of pounds' worth is going unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice.
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There are three major free calculators you can use to see what you might be entitled to:
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
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.