THOUSANDS of families struggling to afford heating their homes could get up to £120 in vouchers towards their energy bills in time for Christmas.
Cash-strapped households can apply for help with food, energy bills, clothing and more under the government’s £500million Household Support Fund.
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The scheme launched in October and replaced the Covid local support grant where hard-up Brits could get up to £1,500 to pay for food, bills and more, a Sun investigation found.
It will also help to provide support for Universal Credit claimants who saw their payments drop by £20 a week after the government slashed the benefit uplift.
It comes as households are battling against a cost of living crisis, leaving one in 10 families struggling to get by.
Soaring energy bills, rising inflation and a hike to food and petrol prices is crippling family finances.
Brits who are struggling to make ends meet are able to apply for help through the Household Support Fund through their local council.
Each authority has a different application process in place to give the help to those most in need.
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The Sun has seen that families can get free cash, vouchers and more to help them get through one of the most expensive times of the year.
For example, you can get vouchers to help with your energy bills worth up to £120 if you live in West Northamptonshire.
Families eligible for the help will get a £40 voucher to top up their pre-payment meter, and you can get a maximum of three vouchers over the winter period.
That means in total, you could get up to £120 to help you heat your home.
West Northamptonshire Council said it will aim to dish the vouchers out to you within 24 hours of you applying for the help.
To apply for the help, you’ll have to go through your local Citizens Advice Bureau, and you can find out where your nearest is using its online branch locator tool.
You can also call 0808 196 9443 or speak to your work coach at Jobcentre Plus – staff will then decide if you’re able to apply for the scheme and do it on your behalf.
If you don’t live in West Northamptonshire, you will need to find out from your local council what support they are offering under the Household Support Fund.
To find your local council, visit the gov.uk‘s website and use it’s authority finder tool.
Exactly what help is available will vary depending on who your local council is.
This is because each council will decide what – and how much – they will give to those in need.
However, The Sun spotted that some councils were offering up to £140 in supermarket vouchers to spend at shops including Tesco and Aldi this Christmas.
While others were offering £100 in free cash to families, and up to £60 of vouchers for children’s clothing.
Each council will have its own application process for the help – you should visit your local council’s website or ring them up for more information.
How else can I get help with bills?
If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund, don’t panic – there are other ways to get help in time for Christmas.
See if you are eligible for the warm home discount and get up to £140 towards your bills.
Cold weather payments are also available and you can get to help cover the cost of heating when temperatures drop – you’ll get £25 for every seven day period where the weather is below 0C.
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Many councils also run welfare assistance schemes to help you with essential purchases and bills.
A Sun investigation found that you could get up to £1,000 in help paying for food, furniture and bills.
But it’s also a postcode lottery – some councils are offering more help than others, while some don’t even have a scheme in place.
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