THOUSANDS of households can get up to £1,000 in free cash to help them with the cost of living.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, which was set up by the government and is worth £842million.
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The pot of money has been shared between local councils in England who then decide how they want to distribute it.
That means you have to apply through your local authority, and what you are entitled to varies depending on where you live.
Brent Council, in north-west London, is distributing £2million it has been allocated from the fund to residents in need.
The money is being shared through the authority’s Resident Support Fund and the maximum amount residents can get is £1,000.
Residents may receive less than this full amount as awards are based on their specific needs.
In some cases, money will be paid directly into eligible households‘ bank accounts.
In others, it might come as help paying rent, mortgages or council tax.
Brent Council has also put aside more than £3.5million to offer residents food vouchers and one-off payments.
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Who is eligible and how do I apply?
You can apply for help through the Resident Support Fund if you live in the Brent area.
You also have to be 18 or over and meet the following conditions:
- have less than £6,000 in savings
- need support with meeting your day to day living expenses including food and utility bills
- are not seeking support to pay for an excluded item
- are willing to comply with any reasonable conditions concerning the payment award, including for example, support from advice agencies
- have not made a Resident Support Fund application in the last 12 rolling months
You can only make one application through the Resident Support Fund between April 1 this year and March 31, 2024.
You can apply on Brent Council’s website.
But you will need some paperwork ready beforehand, including:
- your most recent statements for all bank accounts (including your partner’s bank statements if you have one)
- you most recent utility bill, if required
Brent Council’s website says applications should be processed within eight to 10 weeks.
It will contact residents whose applications have been successful.
If you are at risk of losing your home, or need support urgently, you should call the council on 020 8937 1800.
What other help is on offer?
If you live in Brent and don’t meet the criteria for the Resident Support Fund, there is other help on offer.
Millions of households are in line for cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.
The first instalment of the £900 payment is being made to millions on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit, from today (April 25).
Meanwhile, a £150 payment and between £150-£300 payment will be made to millions with disabilities and pensioners.
You may be entitled to the £150 disability cost of living payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you are eligible for the payment, it will be made this summer.
Meanwhile, pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment from November this year.
You will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if you were born before September 25, 1957.
Those eligible for the payment will receive a letter in October and November telling them how much money to expect.
You should check if you are entitled to any benefits that qualify you for the cost of living payments.
Some charities have benefits calculators that will give you a rough estimate of what you could be in line for. That includes:
- Turn2Us
- Policy in Practice
- EntitledTo
Remember though, these calculators offer estimates of what you could receive, and aren’t 100% accurate.
But they do serve to remind you of what extra help you could be entitled to.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
