CASH IN
One-off payment worth £200 available for hard-up households from TODAY
Automatic one-off payments will go to eligible residents
A MAJOR scheme giving out a one-off payment worth £200 is available for hard-up households.
The Household Support Fund was originally rolled out in 2021 to help vulnerable people cope with the rising cost of living.
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It has been extended many times, with the government promising to pump a further £1billion into the fund over 2025 and 2026.
In this case, those who are eligible must live within Dudley borough, have less than £2,000 in household savings and have a household income of less than £40,000, or £30,000 for a single occupancy household are eligible for the cash handout.
Generally, local councils pay out the money, and how much you get depends on your financial circumstances and what benefits you receive.
Some examples of what other councils are doing include Rotherham Council, which is now offering struggling families £250 grants to fight the cost of living.
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Rotherham Council says that to qualify for the grant, residents must have no more than £150 remaining each month after covering essential expenses such as food, rent or mortgage, and utility bills.
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 pensionable age in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit but who don’t qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
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Everyone who is identified as eligible for this support will be contacted directly in December by the council with their payment.
Sandwell Council has also been allocated more than £3.4million for the period up to March 2025 to help struggling families.
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The council is using the funds to give 4,000 pensioners on low incomes a £200 payment.
To be eligible, you must receive council tax reduction, but not Pension Credit.
This payment will be sent to eligible households in a letter that can be cashed at a Post Office.
Meanwhile, The Sun previously revealed a full list of councils providing extra support for pensioners this winter through the fund.
You can check that out here.
How to know if you qualify?
Financial support available to struggling households varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local council offers to ensure you get all the support you need.
The benefits you already 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.
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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The Sun previously revealed a full list of councils providing extra support for pensioners this winter through the fund.
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.
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