HOUSEHOLDS have just two days left to claim supermarket vouchers and cost of living payments worth up to £225.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a £421million pot of cash that’s been shared between councils in England.
Detail of a woman counting money for payment.[/caption]
Local authorities then have to decide how to distribute their share of the fund, and who to.
The latest round of funding has to be allocated by councils before March 31, with some already having depleted their shares.
However, some are still issuing cash and vouchers, with a number setting deadlines of this Friday to apply.
City of Doncaster Council
City of Doncaster Council is providing one-off payments to households who receive either housing benefit, local council tax reduction, Universal Credit which includes a housing element or means-tested free school meals.
Payments are being made to households where at least one person is aged between 16 and 64 – also known as a working-age adult.
Households without children are being issued £75 payments and those with one or two dependent children £150.
Residents living in homes with three or more dependent children qualify for £225 payments.
Meanwhile, pensioner households receiving Pension Credit get £50 payments and those not eligible for the benefit get £150.
Anyone who received a payment under a previous round of the Household Support Fund should have already received their money.
But, those who are yet to get help through the Household Support Fund, which first launched in October 2021, have to apply by 5pm on Friday.
The online application form can be found via www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/council-tax-benefits/household-support-fund.
Households who qualify can either get the money paid as a cheque or directly into their bank account.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is distributing payments worth £200 to households in need.
To qualify for a payment, residents need to have not yet received help from the Household Support Fund in 2024 or 2025.
They also must be receiving housing benefit, the housing element of Universal Credit, or council tax support.
They can also qualify if they have been receiving a means-tested benefit or have not been in employment for at least three months.
They also need to have less than £1,000 in savings.
To apply for the payment, residents can go to www.eryc.link/fund.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don’t delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it’s crucial you apply as soon as possible.
Those who don’t have access to the internet can apply by calling 01482 393939.
Any payments should be made within 20 days of an application being made.
Bedford Council
Bedford Council, in the East of England, is still accepting applications for direct bank payments of £150.
Payments are being issued to pensioner households who receive council tax support.
Households where the council tax payer is of working age, dependent children are included in the household, and are in receipt of a council tax support can also claim.
The deadline for either cohort to apply is February 28.
To apply, visit bedford.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/grants-and-funding/household-support-fund-2024-25.
Portsmouth Council
If you have children aged 0-19 that do not qualify for benefits-related free school meals, or someone in your household is over 20 weeks pregnant and you have a low income, you may be eligible to apply for Portsmouth Council’s Family Voucher Scheme.
The scheme is also open to:
- Children attending school outside of Portsmouth
- Home educated children
- Children in early years settings
- Children in full time further education
- Eligible families will receive one £50 supermarket voucher per child.
Households must submit their applications online by 12pm on February 28, by visiting portsmouth.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-support/help-and-support/money-advice/household-support-fund/.
Calderdale Council
Hard-up households in Calderdale have until Friday to apply for support up to £100.
You may be eligible if you receive council tax reduction based on your income.
How much you get depends on certain factors such as if you live with children or have a disability.
Households with children will get £100 and so will households where one person is living with a known disability.
Meanwhile, single parents and couples with no children or disability will receive £50.
For households with children and a known disability, only one payment of £100 can be awarded.
To find out more, visit new.calderdale.gov.uk/benefits/hsf.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Households receiving a council tax reduction in Stockton-on-Tees should have received an £80 voucher.
Pensioner households who don’t qualify for Pension Credit and on a low income have also been sent £100 vouchers.
These vouchers can be exchanged at any PayPoint outlet for money to cover energy bills or food costs.
However, the vouchers have to be exchanged no later than February 28.
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