MILLIONS of households have received hundreds of pounds in cost of living payments, but the help is now coming to an end.
Without the support, many struggling families might be worried about how they’re going to make ends meet in the future.
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The first instalment of the £900 support, worth £301, was paid out to over eight million households in April and May last year.
The second instalment, which was £300, was paid from October 31 to November 19.
Plus the final £299 payment started landing in bank accounts earlier this month and will be paid up until February 22.
It follows the £650 cost of living payment made to over eight million people in 2022.
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But there’s no need to worry, as there’s a raft of support of further support on offer that you maybe be able to access if you’re struggling financially.
If you were found to be entitled to all of the support below, you get payments worth up to £3695.05.
Household Support Fund – up to £450
The government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme is available through council’s across the country.
But time is running out for people to put in a claim, as the fund is set to close on March 31.
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Councils are giving out the cash to struggling households to help them with the rising cost of bills and food.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
The fund is often aimed at those already on low incomes and claiming help.
But you don’t always need to be on benefits or Universal Credit to be eligible for the cash.
There are also some areas offering the help to households who don’t claim support from the government.
The Sun recently put together a list of areas where you can get up to £450 in support.
Switching bonus – up to £200
Banks and building societies regularly run switching offers to draw in new customers but they usually only last for a limited time.
In most cases, the process can be done through the Current Account Switching Service (CASS).
Natwest is currently giving away £200 to customers to move their current account over.
Your current account is a bank account where you can store and withdraw money – most people use them for day-to-day transactions.
All customers need to do is use the CASS, pay £1,250 into the NatWest account and log into the mobile app within 60 days of switching accounts.
Lloyds’ is also offering a switching incentive for new customers looking to open an account – but you need to be quick.
The bank is offering existing and new customers from any other bank account £175 if they switch to a Club Lloyds account between now and March 28.
Winter fuel payment – up to £300
Thousands of pensioners eligible for the winter fuel payment will receive an up to £300 top up from the Government this year.
The winter fuel payment is made to households with someone born before a certain date.
This year, it is being made to every household with someone born before September 25, 1957.
But on top of the regular payment, the Government is topping it up with a £150 or £300 pensioner cost of living payment, meaning you could receive up to £600 in total.
In most cases, you won’t have to apply and the payment will be made automatically from November.
If you have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:
- You do not get benefits or the State Pension
- The only benefit you get is Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
- You live in Switzerland or an EEA country
If you have had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if since your last payment you have either:
- Deferred your State Pension
- Moved to Switzerland or an EEA country
If you do need to claim you can do so by phone or by post. The deadline for claiming the winter fuel payment for this winter is March 31, 2024.
Cold weather payment – £25 a week
Cold weather payments are made to hard-up households to help cover the cost of higher energy bills during cold snaps.
Eligible households receive £25 for every seven-day period where temperatures are below zero degrees.
The money is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The scheme runs between November 1 and March 31 but you don’t have to apply and will receive the payments automatically if you are eligible.
To qualify for a winter fuel payment you must be receiving one of the following benefits:
But you may have to meet other criteria too, including:
- Having a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
- Having a child who is disabled
- Receiving child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Having a severe or enhanced disability premium
- Being in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
- Having a child under five living with you
You can read more about eligibility on the Government’s website.
Winter heating payment – £55.05
The winter heating payment has replaced the cold weather payment for households in Scotland.
The eligibility for the £55.05 payment is the same as the cold weather payment and you have to be receiving one of the qualifying benefits between November 6 and 12.
The only difference is that the cash is paid to you regardless of whether temperatures drop below zero degrees.
Payments will likely be made this month and into March.
Warm home discount – £150
Millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland can get £150 deducted off their energy bills through the warm home discount.
This winter the money will be taken off your bill between October 16 and March 2024.
You’ll need to be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits to qualify:
Eligible households in England and Wales don’t have to apply for the discount, although some in Scotland do.
Scottish residents should check with their energy supplier directly to see if they qualify for the discount.
Meanwhile, a number of firms offer struggling customers grants to cover the cost of energy bills, including British Gas, EDF and E.ON.
You should get in touch with your provider to see what help they might be able to offer.
Energy bill help – up to £1,500
A huge fund has reopened offering help to anyone struggling with energy bill payments.
It comes from the British Gas Energy Trust – but you don’t need to be a customer.
The scheme reopened on December 4 and is expected to close at the end of March 2024.
You could energy debts of up to £1,500 written off, but you’ll also need to be seeking debt advice too, like from Stepchange or Citizen’s Advice.
Find out more about the scheme and how to apply – plus, what other suppliers offer.
Cash for rent – up to £965
A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is money from your council to help if you’re struggling to pay for rent.
Anyone claiming housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit could qualify.
But what you could be entitled to depends on where you live as each local authority decides how much to dish out.
The Sun previously found the average DHP was £965, based on freedom of information requests sent to 30 of the biggest councils.
But the maximum amount you could get was worth up to £32,000 in total.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about who can get the cash and how to claim.
Fuel vouchers – worth £50
If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
It comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and is offered through a range of organisations like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council.
The voucher should help you cover around two weeks’ worth of electricity use.
Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so ask your supplier directly.
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Meanwhile, a numbers of benefits including Universal Credit will be paid early for some households this month – we reveal which ones.
Plus, millions of households nationwide can claim several cold weather payments to help with heating costs this winter.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.
