CASH IN
Thousands of households have just DAYS left to apply for up to £1,000 in cost of living supermarket vouchers
Scroll down to see what help you can get if you don't qualify for the up to £1,000 money
THOUSANDS of households have just DAYS left to apply for up to £1,000 in free cash to cover the cost of living.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a giant £421million pot of money that's been shared between councils in England.
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Each local authority has been given a unique share of the fund and can decide who to give help to.
Local councils can also choose how they distribute their share of the fund, whether that be through direct bank transfers or vouchers to cover energy or food bills.
The latest round of the Household Support Fund has to be allocated by March 31 so you need to be quick.
Portsmouth Council, in Hampshire, is offering hard-up households free cash payments, supermarket vouchers or a combination of both worth up to £1,000.
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If you are eligible for a payment, it will be made via bank transfer or paid as a cheque.
You might not be eligible for £1,000, as the amount you qualify for depends on your specific circumstances and household size.
Portsmouth City Council hasn't set exact eligibility criteria, but says those who are in "severe financial hardship and can't afford essentials" should apply.
You also have to live in one of the following postcodes: PO1 - PO6, PO7 5AT, PO7 5AU, PO7 5AX, PO7 5AY, PO7 5AZ, PO7 5BA, PO7 5BS, PO7 5BT or PO7 5BU.
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You can apply via portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-support/help-and-support/money-advice/household-support-fund.
However, you only have until 12pm on Friday (March 14) so will need to be sharpish.
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Portsmouth City Council says if it decides you are eligible for a payment, you will be paid within seven days of that decision.
Any vouchers should be issued within three to five working days.
Help for those who live outside Portsmouth
Despite councils having until March 31 to allocate their share of the latest round of Household Support Fund, some have already closed for applications.
Councils have had until last October to distribute their share to residents in need.
However, some local authorities may still be accepting applications for support from struggling households.
Whether you will be eligible for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria.
However, if you on a low income, benefits or financially vulnerable, you will likely qualify for support.
The best thing to do is speak to your local council to see what help is on offer.
You can find what council area you fall under by visiting www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Other help you can claim
If you're not eligible for the Household Support Fund, you might qualify for other forms of help to cover energy bills or food.
Several energy firms offer grants to households who are struggling to pay their energy bills worth up to £2,000.
This includes British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF.
New parents might also be eligible for free food worth up to £442 a year to cover the cost of healthy food and milk via the Healthy Start scheme.
Or, you can get an emergency food parcel from a Trussell Trust food bank.
You can find your nearest via www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank.
To get a food parcel, you need a voucher from a community organisation like Citizens Advice or your GP. You can then exchange this voucher for a food parcel at the food bank.
It's also worth checking if you're eligible for benefits if you haven't already - billions of pounds worth is going unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice.
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There are three free calculators you can use to see what you might be entitled to:
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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