THOUSANDS of households have just weeks left to claim vouchers worth up to £325 to help with soaring costs.
The support comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million.
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The pot of money has come from the central government and has then been allocated to councils across England.
Each council decides how to allocate their portion of the cash, meaning what you’ll get depends on where you live.
Residents in Guildford, Surrey, are set to receive up to £400 in free cash directly into their bank accounts.
Meanwhile, thousands of households in Blackpool are being urged to apply for £300 in free energy bill cash.
And residents in North Yorkshire have just weeks left to claim vouchers worth up to £325.
North Yorkshire County Council is offering eligible households a one-off e-voucher to pay for food and other essentials.
All eligible households will receive a letter from the council by January 16.
But they will only have until Wednesday, February 15 to claim the support.
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Below, we explain if you are eligible and how much you could receive:
- You received housing benefit on or between August, 26 and September, 25 2022, but did not qualify for the second cost of living payment – e-voucher for £325.
- If you were getting the maximum discount to pay your council tax bill through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme as November, 30 2022 – e-voucher for £85.
Anyone who meets the above criteria for both housing benefit and the maximum council tax reduction will get a single e-voucher payment, but for the higher amount of £325.
To check if you’re eligible using the council’s online eligibility checker here.
You’ll need your national insurance number, date of birth and postcode to use the eligibility checker.
How do I apply for the Household Support Fund?
Some households will be notified that they can apply for the cash help and others will receive the cash automatically.
Again, your council will set out whether or not you need to apply.
It’s worth checking out your local council’s website to find out what help is available in your area.
You can find your local council by using this handy tool on the government’s website.
A full list of what you’ll need to help with your application is detailed by the council.
Is there other support available?
Millions are in line for up to £1,350 in free cash from spring – and the key payment dates have been revealed.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the help – which will be paid directly into people’s bank accounts – in last year’s Autumn Statement.
It includes a new £900 cost of living payment for those on benefits, another £300 for pensioners and a third for those with disabilities at £150.
The help is aimed to help soften the blow of high energy bills, food costs and other necessities.
It’s rare that households will qualify for all three payments but if you do, you’ll get the full £1,350 on offer and you’ll be automatically paid.
Pensioners have also started getting a £300 one-off payment.
The current pensioner cost of living payment is being handed out to millions on a low income.
You qualify under the current rules if you normally get the winter fuel payment, but this could change under the new rules.
The £300 cost of living payment is paid on top of the other winter support.
You’ll need to be:
- born on or before 25 September 1956
- have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”
Struggling families are eligible for the Warm House Discount to help them tackle the cost of living.
The scheme is where eligible households can get £150 off their electricity bill each winter – but you’ll have to wait until the colder months to get the money off.
Households in England and Wales don’t need to apply to get the cash and they’ll automatically qualify if they are receiving certain benefits.
You can read more about who’s eligible here.
There are also plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling.
British Gas has recently confirmed that it’ll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.
Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
