THOUSANDS of families can get up to £275 to help towards the cost of living next month.
The support comes from the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is a pot worth £842million.
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The HSF is money from the government that is there to help low income households with the rising costs of living.
The money is distributed among councils across England and each council decides how to share their portion of the fund.
This means that not everyone will get the same amount and what you get depends on where you live.
Some local authorities are making bank transfers while others are offering help in the way of food or utility bill vouchers.
If you are not sure who your local council is you can find out by putting your postcode into the government’s council locator tool on its website.
Once you know who your local authority is you will be able to check what they are offering as it is usually posted on their website.
Who is eligible?
Those who may be eligible include low income families, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people.
Remember that every council is different and has different criteria so you will need to check to see what you may be entitled to.
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Residents who live in the Dudley Borough can apply for up to £275 cash paid straight into their bank account.
Applications are closed at the moment but will open again for the second phase on October 1, 2023.
If you meet the criteria you will receive a minimum payment of £250 paid straight into your bank account.
For households with someone who has a disability you will receive an extra £25 payment.
You can make an application if you live in the Dudley Borough and meet any of the following:-
- You are a multi person household
- Your joint gross income, including wages and any other income (for example pensions and benefits), are less than £45,000
- Your savings are no more than £6,000
- You are the only adult in the household
- Your gross income is less than £35,000 per year (including wages and any other income)
You will also need to say why you are struggling to pay your bills.
If you have already received an award from this scheme between April 1 and September 30 you will not be eligible for another payment.
How do I apply?
The application process varies depending on where you live so check on your local government website.
According to Dudley Council’s website applications do not open again until October 1.
It does not state how to make an application so it is best to check back at the beginning of October for more details.
You cannot receive payments on behalf o someone else but you can help them with their claim.
You can help someone else to fill out an application or fill out an application on their behalf, but only the named applicant will receive the payment.
What other help can I get?
There is other help out there if you are not eligible for help via the Household Support Fund.
You could be entitled to a cost of living payment of up to £1,350.
This year and into 2024 the Government is handing out payments to millions of people.
Individually the payments are worth £900, £300 and £150.
Some people may be eligible for all three which means a total of £1,350.
The £900 payment has been split into three instalments worth £301, £300 and £299.
The first instalment has already been made to millions of people.
The second and third instalments will be made for most people this autumn and in spring 2024 respectively.
In North Yorkshire thousands of locals received electronic supermarket vouchers worth up to £325 and the council have stated they will be delivering a fourth phase of help later this year.
Buckinghamshire Council have also extended their support after receiving £4.8million for April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Residents in North Norfolk District Council are also set to see a fourth round of the HSF from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 but details are still being finalised.
Those needing help in Shropshire have also been granted a fourth round of HSF funds from April 1, 2023 and details are yet to be confirmed.
