HELPING HAND
Just days left to claim £200 one-off cost of living payment – are you eligible?
The Household Support Fund aims to support people who need help with bills, water and cost of living expenses
STRUGGLING households could soon receive a one-off payment to help with the cost of living.
Residents who live in the East Riding of Yorkshire have until August 31 to apply for the Household Support Fund.
1
The HSF is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions and dished out to local councils to allocate to those in need.
Households with children, those with pensioners, and others can get help with the cost of food, energy, and water, as well as bills through the scheme.
In East Riding of Yorkshire, some households in have already received a single payment of £200 automatically by the end of July.
But other households can also apply for support payments if they are struggling with the cost of living.
Read more money news
But they need to be quick as the deadline is August 31, 2024.
Those in a working household can apply can apply if:
- they are an East Riding resident (you receive a Council Tax bill from East Riding Of Yorkshire Council)
- they are working, but not in receipt of any benefits, and
- their income is below £28,000 per year for single households and under £33,000 per year for other households, and
- they have under £6,000 in savings or in a bank account.
Unpaid carer households need to meet these conditions:
Most read in Money
- being an East Riding resident
- being an unpaid adult carer who does not receive the carers allowance, and
- the person you care for receives a disability payment, and
- your income is below £28,000 per year for single households and under £33,000 per year for other households, and
- having under £6,000 in savings or in a bank account.
Support Fund Boost: Up to £500 Grants for Struggling Households
What is the Household Support Fund?
The HSF was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.
The latest round of funding is worth £421 million to councils in England so that they could help struggling household.
Who qualifies is a postcode lottery too, as each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.
However, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, you will likely qualify for help.
The HSF was recently extended in the Government's Spring Budget until September and many councils are setting deadlines for the latest fund to close.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.
The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover the costs of your weekly grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
Where is the HSF available?
Plymouth - up to £740
Plymouth City Council said eligible residents can receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers. This includes £240 in supermarket vouchers for either Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi, or Iceland, and £200 in energy vouchers. It also includes an essential item of household furniture or white goods or £300 of clothing vouchers.
Blackpool - up to £300
Households with one or two people - including children - will see £200 paid directly to their energy provider. Those with three or more will get £300 paid towards their energy costs.
Middlesbrough - up to £70
People in the area who claim benefits and do not have children can apply for a £50 voucher. Those living alone will get up to £37.50 and couples will get £50. If there are children in your household, you'll get a voucher for £70 per child.
Leicestershire - up to £300
Households in Leicestershire can apply for £300 per household, which will be paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food. The payment can be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets.
Leeds - up to £100
Residents of Leeds who receive council tax support with dependent children can claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25. Eligible households will have received letters featuring a barcode that can then be taken to the post office along with ID to claim the cash.
Bracknell Forest - up to £315
Applicants could be eligible for a one-off £105 payment per child between now and September, if applicants meet the qualifying benefits.
Cambridgeshire County - up to £220
Low-income households in Cambridgeshire can apply for a financial award of £110 per household. Residents can apply twice for support between now and September 30, meaning each household could receive as much as £220. The funds can be paid in a lump sum of £110 or as vouchers.
Falkirk - up to £470
The amount residents can get under the HSF depends on the number of people in their household. A single adult will receive £110, with an additional £90 payment made for every further resident. For example, a couple with no dependent children would receive £200.
Stockport - up to £315
Stockport Council is giving out vouchers worth £105 to families struggling to pay for essentials. The fund is paid per child, so if you have three children you would be entitled to £315 worth of supermarket vouchers.