HOUSEHOLDS are starting to run out of time to apply for easy cash schemes before they close.
The extra help, funded by the government Household Support Fund, is being handed out by councils and it officially ends on March 31.
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However, several councils have set deadlines before this so it’s important to get your application in on time or you risk missing out.
How much you can get depends on where you live and your individual circumstances.
You’ll need to contact your local council to check what’s on offer and how to apply.
Here we round up the councils that have set deadlines for February and March.
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Portsmouth City Council
Residents in Portsmouth may be able to get support from their local council for essential costs like food and energy bills.
The council is using its portion of the Household support fund to finance its Exceptional Hardship scheme.
The scheme provides support for households who are in severe financial hardship and can’t afford essentials.
This is a one-time payment and applications will open on February 26 and stay open until March 15.
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The pot of funding is limited so residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
The council is also providing supermarket vouchers worth £150 to families who have children who are entitled to free school meals.
You can apply for vouchers if the following applies to you:
- Living in the Portsmouth City Council area (PO1-PO6)
- Are receiving Child Benefits for a child aged 0-19, or are you at least 20 weeks pregnant
- Did not receive an £80 voucher in respect of this child from a school between November 2023 and January 2024;
- Have a total household earned and unearned income (excluding benefits and tax credits) of below £1,500 in the last month (or £1,385 in the last four weeks if paid weekly).
If you are unable to complete an online application or upload proof of your circumstances online, you can make a telephone application by calling the council’s household support fund helpline on 023 9268 8010.
You must submit your application by March 15 though applications may close sooner due to limited funding.
What is the Household Support Fund?
THE Household Support Fund is a government-funded cash pot given to councils to support those struggling with essential costs.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £842million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the Spring Budget and for a third time in November to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP has confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
The support available varies but some residents may given free cash or vouchers to pay for essentials like energy bills or grocery bills.
You do not need to be on benefits to be eligible for this fund but it will not affect any benefits you receive.
You should check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
Kent County Council
Kent County Council is also inviting residents to apply for additional support through its allocation of the Household Support Fund.
If your application is successful, you will receive one prepaid card per eligible household to be used towards energy costs.
Applications need to be submitted by February 29 but found will be allocations on a first-come, first-served basis.
You will be eligible for assistance if you:
- Are aged 16 or over
- Are a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bexley, or Bromley)
- Have a household income of less than £40,000 per annum before tax, including all benefits and employment income
- Do not have more than £1000 in savings, not including funds you have identified for the payment of regular bills
- Do not receive free school meals voucher support from your child’s school over the school holidays, for any child within your household
- Are responsible for your household energy costs.
If you live in Kent and have a child in a family who is eligible for free school meals benefits-related free school meals, you should already have received support, with schools already providing a £100 energy voucher per eligible child at the end of November 2023.
Kent also has a Winter household support fund which opened on January 9.
Eligible applicants will receive either a £100 prepaid physical card or virtual card which must be put towards energy bills.
The scheme follows the same eligibility requirements as above and residents must apply before February 29 to be considered.
North Northamptonshire Council
North Northamptonshire Council is still rolling out its allocation of the Household Support Fund.
The council will be awarding those who qualify for help one-time hardship payment.
- A single person will receive £150
- A couple will receive £260
- A household with three or more people will get £320
To qualify residents must be on a low income:
- For a single person £24,876, if you have a child this increases to £30,465
- For a couple £34,494 if you have a child this increases to £36,123
You will also be assessed on how much you have saved:
- Single adults shouldn’t have more than £4,704, £7,260
- Couples should not have more than £7,116, £8,616
Residents have until February 11 to apply.
Leicester City Council
Eligible residents in Leicester City may be able to get support for bills and essential food costs.
This will be handed out through e-vouchers.
Some residents may also be able to get help with essential kitchen equipment and even rent.
Eligible residents must not have received help from the council’s previous handout of the Household Support of the Government’s cost of living payments.
The applications will reopen on February 24 for the final time but there is a limit of 300 applications so you will need to act fast if you are eligible.
Dorset Council
Dorset Council is rolling out round four of its Household Support Fund and applications opened this week on February 6.
The council is offering essential assistance through £150 supermarket vouchers.
Eligible residents must:
- Pay council tax to Dorset Council
- Have an annual household net income of less than £30,000 and
- Have savings of less than £16,000 and
- Have not applied for a previous HSF payment within the last six months (since August 2023)
If you miss this round another is due to open on March 5, but this will be the final round of the funds and vouchers will be subject to availability.
What other support is available?
If you don’t qualify for the Household Support Fund in your local area you may still be entitled to additional support.
The third instalment of the cost of living support payment started hitting bank accounts this week.
Those eligible will receive a tax-free payment by February 22.
There is one week left to claim free energy bill vouchers up to £1,700 from the Home Heating Support Fund.
Meanwhile, you might be one of thousands who still need to apply for the Warm Home Discount, which is worth £150.
Or, you could qualify for a cold weather payment worth £25.
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