STRUGGLING households can get up to £125 free cash to help with the cost of living.
The help comes from the Household Support Fund (HSF)which is a pot worth £842million.
1
The Household Support Fund scheme was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid a cost of living crisis.
The money is provided by the Government which has been distributed to among councils in England.
Each council then decides how to share their portion of the fund.
That means what you get depends on where you live – some local authorities are offering out food or utility bill vouchers while others are making bank transfers.
If you are not sure who your local council is you can type your postcode into the the government’s council locator tool on its website and it will tell you.
Who is eligible?
Reading Borough Council has been given £2,261,298 for 2023/24 through the Household Support Fund to allocate to households in need.
Households in receipt of the pupil premium and free school meals for their children will receive two £125 vouchers sent to their homes by the Post Office.
The first vouchers will be posted in July 2023 and the second one in December 2023.
Most read in Money
Vouchers do have expiry dates on them, and you will not be able to cash them after that date has passed.
The first one is valid until November 30 and the second voucher is valid until February 29.
Eligible residents above pension age will also receive support in the form of a £450 payment made directly into their bank accounts in October 2023.
How do I apply?
Households in receipt of pupil premium and free school meals for children, and care leavers for those leaving foster or childcare institutions will receive the payment automatically.
This is also the case for people who are above pension age and eligible for the £450 direct payment.
Meanwhile, other families and individuals who may be eligible for the vouchers can apply.
The application process is not open online yet, but it will be found on the council’s household support fund website, so keep checking.
What other help can I get?
f you aren’t eligible for help via the Household Support Fund, you might be entitled to a cost of living payment.
The Government is handing out payments to millions of people this year and into 2024. They are worth £900, £300 and £150, totalling £1,350.
Depending on your circumstances, you might be entitled to all three.
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.
