New cost of living payments worth up to £250 available NOW – as families urged to apply as soon as possible

FAMILIES have been urged to apply as soon as possible with new cost of living payments worth up to £250 available now.

Bath & North East Somerset Council have launched a new Winter Energy Support Fund using its allocation of government funding from the Household Support Fund.

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The government support is dished out from a pot of money worth £842million.

It’s designed to help the most hard-up families struggling with the cost of living.

To qualify, residents must be aged over 18 with a permanent address in the area and savings of no more than £6,000.

You also need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit or be on a low combined income of less than £500 per week.

Anyone in the household who receives Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, or Attendance Allowance will qualify for an extra £100 in addition to the £150 standard payment.

And the council may also consider applications from residents who are in financial crisis due to circumstances beyond their control.

The help comes as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) which was first launched in October 2021 to help struggling Brits.

It has been extended three times since then and a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024, has recently been confirmed.

Cllr Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, told the BathEcho: “We know that many households continue to struggle to pay energy bills and want to make sure that families are supported through these harsh winter months.

“I don’t want to see any residents go cold this winter. If you think you qualify for this vital help, please apply to us as soon as possible.”

Who is eligible?

Councils up and down the country have been given a slice of the £842million funding to dish out to those in need.

What you can get depends on where you live and your personal circumstances.

Some councils have given out cash in the form of a bank transfer, while others have dished out supermarket vouchers.

If you are unsure of which local council you are covered by you can check on the government’s website.

Just pop your postcode into the government’s council locator tool on its website and it will tell you who you need to contact.

Once you know who your local council is and you think you might be eligible check with them to see what is being offered in your area.

Residents in the market town of Dudley can apply for payments ranging from £100 to £300.

While Buckinghamshire Council has also extended its support after receiving £4.8million from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Residents in the borough of Windsor and Maidenhead also got free cash to go towards food and energy costs.

Meanwhile, Ashford Borough Council is issuing eligible residents a minimum of £100 to help with energy costs.

If you think you might be eligible the application window is open from now until Wednesday, February, 7.

What other help is available?

If you don’t qualify for help via the HSF there is still other financial support available.

We have a list of seven cold weather payments you can get now as the temperature drops.

Also, you could be entitled to a cost of living payment.

Millions of households will soon receive the third instalment of the £900 cost of living payment direct into their bank accounts.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it will issue the upcoming instalment of £299 between February 6-22.

We tell you exactly what to look out for on your bank statement if you are due a payment in February

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk