A LUMP sum cost of living payment worth up to £350 is now available for anyone earning under £28,000.
The Household Support Fund, which first launched in 2021, helps Brits pay their way through a cost of living crisis.
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Each council is allocated a certain amount of money to distribute to lower income families, often who make less than £50,000.
And East Riding Council has now revealed that applications are now being accepted – and will be open until Friday, January 26, 2024.
The payments are available to anybody in the East Riding who is eligible and who has not previously received a payment.
Those who are eligible will receive a payment of £350 within just 20 days.
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Councillor Anne Handley, leader of the council, said: “Many families and others on low income in the East Riding are having an extremely tough time making ends meet during the cost of living crisis. As winter draws in with colder weather, and the Christmas season approaching, things can get harder for many families.
“We hope this money through the Household Support Fund will make a difference.
“These payments are available now to those in need and I’d urge people to check if they are eligible and apply online, as this money is there to help.”
Visit eryc.link/fund to apply for the funding.
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Who can apply?
You would be eligible to make an application for support if:
- You are an East Riding resident (you receive a council tax bill from East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
- You are working, but not in receipt of any benefits, and
- Your income is below £28,000 per year for single households and under £33,000 per year for other households, and
- You have under £6,000 in savings or in a bank account.
What if I don’t live in East Riding?
Your local council will likely have its own version of the scheme going and you should get in contact with them to find out more.
But be quick – applications for HSF are normally done on a first-come-first-serve basis. You don’t want to miss out and be disappointed.
And remember what you get will depend on your situation, and not every council will hand cash out the same way.
For example, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is paying out up to £230 into thousands of people’s bank accounts.
But only if you’re receiving Council Tax Support.
You should check with your local council to see what help you might be in line for.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the government’s council locator tool online.
Just type “find my local council” into Google and it should be the first link that appears on the page.
What other help can I get?
There’s always plenty of help to get even if you don’t qualify for HSF.
A number of energy providers for example, including British Gas, E.On and EDF, offer grants worth up to £1,500.
You should contact yours if you are finding it hard to keep up with payments.
And keep in mind the Warm Home Discount is being paid out, although it’s ending this month. It’s a £150 one off payment towards your energy bills paid to eligible households between October and March each year.
There are different ways to qualify for the scheme, but if you live in England and Wales you have to either:
- be receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- be on a low income and have high energy costs
Beyond March 31, you can still get help with energy bills if you are struggling with payments.
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For example, the £301 cost of living payment will be hitting bank accounts between April 25 and May 17.
It’s part of the big £900 payment going out this year, which will arrive in three parts – the remaining two, worth £300 and £299 will be made this autumn and in spring 2024 respectively.
