TODAY is the last day for thousands of households to apply for free financial support towards essential costs like supermarket and gas bills.
The help is part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is currently set to close tomorrow, March 31 – here’s what you need to know.
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The scheme was launched last October to help struggling families cope with the cost of living crisis over the winter period.
A pot of half a billion was distributed to local authorities across the country.
Each council has chosen the type of support they are to provide, with many opting for supermarket vouchers and one off payments.
Not all residents can receive the support due to eligibility requirements which can be viewed on each local council’s website.
Though some councils may have closed application windows already due to exhausted funds.
You can check whether local support is still available by contacting your council.
However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced during his Spring Statement this week that funding for this support will be doubled to £1billion.
That means an extra £500million will be available from next month – but the details are not yet clear on how the next funding round will work.
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It’s important to note that your council may still have money left to distribute from the original HSF pot.
If this is the case, you only have until tomorrow, March 31, to claim it.
It is worth getting support if you are eligible, as there is no confirmation of how much each council will get and what they will offer under the new round.
A Treasury spokesperson said: “Guidance is clear that local authorities must have spent or committed their funding for the original scheme by March 31.
“However, individuals will be able to make new applications from April for the new extension to the fund.”
Further guidance on the new scheme will be published by the department for work and pensions early next month.
How to access the Household Support Fund
If your local authority still has funds remaining, you should contact them immediately to find out how to apply.
Application processes differ depending which region you live in.
For example, some councils like Leicestershire County Council do not accept direct applications for the funding, and instead require referrals from professional support workers or agencies like Citizens Advice.
Others like Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council accept direct applications which require residents to fill out a simple form on its website.
Barnsley residents could get up to £200 in vouchers to buy food from selected supermarkets and household items from selected stores.
But to be eligible, you have to receive council tax support.
Those in North and West Northamptonshire can still apply for £40 top-up vouchers for pre-payment energy meters, along with hardship vouchers and more.
In most cases, residents will need to provide evidence of financial hardship along with personal details like national insurance numbers to prevent fraud.
In the Facebook group, Reduce Your Supermarket Spend, one person posted a question regarding the lack of HSF free school meal vouchers ahead of the Easter holidays, and many parents voiced their anger.
“Vouchers are needed now more than ever seeing as everything’s gone up – its going to be tough for a lot of families,” one wrote.
Another wrote: “I find it so sad that there are parents out there who are having to choose to go hungry just to ensure their child gets fed.
If they wanted to stop the vouchers at least offer to keep the canteen open for a hot meal or takeaway option.”
Meanwhile, those on Universal Credit could see a rise in payments within two weeks – this is how much more you can expect to get.
If you’re a parent, you could get up to £2,000 a year towards childcare costs – this is how.
We’ve rounded up seven other government support schemes you may be eligible for if you have a child.
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