THOUSANDS of households can get direct bank payments worth up to £500 aimed to help them with the rising cost of living.
Families and residents in Herefordshire can receive the cash as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The fund provides financial help to low-income households who can use the money to pay for their shopping, bills or essentials such as clothing and hygiene products.
It was first introduced by the Government in 2021 and since then, it has been extended several times.
Funding is given out to local councils to distribute to those most in need in their area, so the support available varies across the country and what you can get depends on where you live.
In Herefordshire, you can apply for the HSF if you’re a resident over 16 years old, or a member of the armed forces with a strong connection to the county.
To be eligible for the fund, you also need to be a legal resident in the UK, not under immigration control.
Another eligibility criterion is that you’re a person or household experiencing financial hardship with the need for “emergency support with essential living costs that cannot be met by other sources.”
If you’re eligible and want to apply, you can either call 01432383838 or complete an application form online.
Applications are processed within two to five working days but could take longer due to high demand, according to the official Herefordshire council website.
What you will get depends on your financial situation, as Herefordshire is offering both direct bank payments and vouchers.
The maximum award available to eligible households in the county is £500, a council representative confirmed to The Sun.
Herefordshire is also offering grocery vouchers to residents in receipt of Pension Credit or those in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Relief.
The vouchers are also available to low-income pensioners or couples.
Struggling Herefordshire residents can also get access to the Local Welfare Provision, which is discretionary funding meant to help those who have an unexpected crisis or sudden need for support.
Unlike the HSF, with this funding households don’t receive cash but are given second-hand goods, food or vouchers, or even referral to support organisations.
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 some councils have already opened for applications.
For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.
Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.
In Cambridgeshire, residents in need of support can apply for a financial award of £110 per household.
Even better, residents can apply twice for support between 1 April and September 30 this year, meaning each household could be in line to receive as much as £220.
The funds can be paid in a lump sum of £110 into your bank account, or split between different types of vouchers.
You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
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.
But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or cover the costs of your weekly grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
And you don’t need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £500million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
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