One-off payment worth up to £250 for struggling households up for grabs – but you need to be quick

CASH-STRAPPED Brits can claim a one-off winter payment to help with rising energy prices – but will need to act fast to bank the money.

The one-off payment of £250 could prove vital for families up and down the country who are struggling to keep on top of their every-day needs.

2

The financial aid is being offered to residents of Bath and North East Somerset, and councillors are instructing residents to apply through their council website as soon as they can.

The new bursary is part of the Governments Household Support Fund (HSF) which is a pot of money issued to councils across the country to help their residents with financial hardship.

With the extra money – which has to be returned to the government if left un-spent – council’s are free to set up funds that do not need to be paid back by residents.

Announced on their website, Bath and North East Somerset Council have informed their constituents that a fund of £150 is available – which can be upped to a generous £250 for some.

To apply, residents must be over 18 with a permanent address in the area, have less than £6,000 saved and receive a qualifying benefit or be on a low combined income of no more than £500 a week.

However, the fund can be offered to individuals who do not qualify based on the standard rules, as on their site it says: “The Council may also consider applications from residents who are in financial crisis due to circumstances beyond their control.”

As well as the £150 umbrella figure, anyone who receives “Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, or Attendance Allowance” will qualify to top their figure up by £100 – netting some Brits a much needed £250 helping-hand.

Applications for the fund will close on March 31, meaning Brits only have a couple of months to claim the cash-injection.

Council’s up and down the country are offering the same, Sunderland, North Yorkshire, Birmingham, Dorset and West Northamptonshire Council are all offering free money to their locals – ranging between £150 and £450.

Each council nets a different figure, which is determined by the size of the catchment area, population, and need of those who dwell there.

Most will have to fill out an application before being sent any money while other councils will make payments automatically – its advised to go to your local council website to see if you can claim a portion of the fund.

What is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.

Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £842million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.

It was then extended for a second time in the Spring Budget and for a third time in November to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.

The DWP has confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.

The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or your weekly grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.

How do you apply?

To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.

To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.

Once you’ve found your council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding on its website.

Each council will have a different application process – so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.

That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary – it’s best to check with your local council for more details.

The household Support Fund has been a life-saver for many low-income homes since it was first introduced – and although the government is yet to confirm if it will be extended – some are calling for the renewal to be announced for at least one more year.

Cllr Pete Marland, chair of the Local Government Association’s economy and resources board, said: “Councils are united in the view the Household Support Fund must be continued beyond the end of March for at least a year.

“Demand for local welfare support remains at record levels with the cost of energy, housing and other essentials remaining exceptionally high relative to income and continuing to rise.

“Without an extension, there is a risk of more households falling into financial crisis and homelessness.”

This comes after a survey taken last year showed that three in 10 Brits fear they wont be able to put food on the table as the cost of living crisis continues.

And it could be about to get even harder for UK dwellers as Brits have been warned to brace for the crisis to get even worse this year.

2

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk