THOUSANDS of households can claim up to £90 free cash and it will land in bank accounts within days.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842million.
1
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
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.
It was due to end in March this year but was extended until April 2024 meaning households can get more support.
You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.
For example, those living in Nottinghamshire can get up to £90 for help towards energy and good costs.
Struggling households can get £60 for energy bills plus £30 per person to go towards food and other essentials.
The money will be paid either by cash or voucher, depending on the circumstances.
Those eligible will be able to apply online via the Nottingham Council website from tomorrow (May 22).
Most read in Money
Once you’ve applied and if it’s successful, the money will be sent to you with 10 working days.
If you receive an energy voucher, instructions to redeem it will be included with your voucher.
Households will receive one lot of payment during the summer and then another over the winter.
You’ll qualify if you’re a family with children who get free school meals though other households struggling with the cost of living may also be eligible.
It’s always worth applying anyway as you might not think you qualify when you do.
Can I get help if I don’t live in Nottinghamshire?
Yes you can. But what you can get depends on where you live as each council has been given a unique share of the £842million pot.
For example, households in Torridge are in line for payments worth up to £1,000.
The application process varies from area to area too.
The best thing to do is contact your local council to see what help is on offer and if you have to take any action.
You can do this by using the Government’s locator tool found on its website.
But you might want to be quick as competition for the fund is fierce and once a council has depleted its share, there’s no more left.
That said, the Household Support Fund has been extended multiple times since it was first launched in October 2021 so it might be extended again when the current batch closes, in March 2024.
What other help is on offer?
Beyond the Household Support Fund there are three cost of living payments being issued by the Government between now and spring 2024.
They are worth £900, £150-£300 and £150 and eligibility for each is different.
The £900 payment has been split into three instalments of £301, £300 and £299 and is being made to those who receive the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension credit
The first instalment should be paid to over eight million eligible people by May 17.
The second and third are being paid this autumn and in Spring 2024, repsectively.
Meanwhile, the £150-£300 payment is being made to millions of pensioners who qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. It will be paid this winter.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
