HELPING HAND
Thousands of struggling households can get £500 free energy or water bill grant
Watch our video to learn more about the Household Support Fund
THOUSANDS of struggling households can get £500 worth of free cash to help their energy or water bill.
Cash-strapped households can get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
1
The aid was set up in 2021 and has since been extended by the UK government several times.
How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial circumstances.
The pot of cash is handed out by local councils and it varies from area to area.
In Worcestershire, hard up families can now apply for help worth £500.
Read more on money
To be eligible, you must be a resident of Worcestershire and your household must earn £31,000 or less a year.
Applicants will be asked to submit evidence of three consecutive months bank statements for each adult occupier as proof.
You will also be eligible for help if you claim any means tested benefits or you or a household member claim any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Health Allowance
Most read in Money
The amount you get depends on a number of factors such as whether or not you live with children.
For example, those in households with adults only, aged between 18 & 66 can receive up to £300 in support .
Cash for Care
The same applies to households with one adult or a couple of pensionable age.
Those with children under the age of 18, or young adults up to the age of 21 in full time education, can receive up to £500.
Payments will be made by direct bank transfer to your energy supplier for your energy account or through an online portal for your energy supplier to credit your energy account.
Those with pre-payment meters will receive vouchers that can be used via the Post Office. Vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash.
WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN WORCESTERSHIRE?
What you can get depends on where you live and what support is available.
Each local council receives a portion of the £421million fund, which is then distributed to residents based on need.
Some councils may provide direct cash payments, while others issue vouchers to help cover essentials like energy or food.
How the money is distributed will vary, so it's important to .
For example, St Helens Borough Council in Merseyside is offering support with essential bills.
Low-income families can apply for support with fuel, food and other living expenses, including utility debts, as well as help with the cost of purchasing furniture or white goods.
Direct payments of £200, or £300 for over 80s, will also be made to pensioners who are not eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, but receive Housing Benefit or a Council Tax reduction.
Milton Keynes City Council is among those offering energy vouchers to struggling households.
The council said it will assess applicants on a "case by case" basis, but people who are just missing out on the winter fuel payment will receive help worth up to £300.
Coventry Council is also offering energy grants of up to £120 for single people or childless couples, and £160 for families.
Meanwhile Medway Council is also providing help. It will give electronic energy cards to the value of £100 to those in demonstrable hardship, with less than £500 in their bank accounts.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU QUALIFY
Every council will receive funding from the HSF, so if you're worried about making ends meet, check your local authority's website for further details.
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.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The benefits you already receive will not be impacted 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.
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.
Topics