THOUSANDS of households struggling with energy bills are set to receive up to £500 free cash.
Struggling residents and families who live in Solihull, West Midlands, have until September 30 to apply for support payments.
The cash, which is available to those in and out of work, is being handed out from the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The HSF provides financial help to struggling households, and has been extended several times since it was first introduced by the Government in 2021.
Funding is given out to local councils to distribute to those most in need in their area.
This means the support available varies across the country and what you can get depends on where you live.
Depending on where you live money could be paid out as a direct cash transfer, shopping vouchers or by other means to help with bills and other expenses.
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Eligibility is usually based on your financial circumstances and what benefits you receive.
Solihull now is distributing the cash as support payments to help with the spiralling cost of living.
Thousands will have already received payments if they get of council tax support, but the fund is also available for others to apply to.
Eligible households could receive fuel vouchers of up to £147 through Act on Energy, fuel debt relief of up to £500 through Age UK Solihull,
or payments of up to £147 to help towards their energy costs through Solihull Council.
To be eligible for support offered through Act on Energy and Age UK, you must live in Solihull, have a a combined annual household income of under £31,000, have no household savings. have someone living in the household with a vulnerability or be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits .
Qualifying benefits include: State Pension, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit, Pension credit guarantee
Working Tax credit, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment.
For support through Act on Energy, contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk.
For support through Age UK, please contact Age UK on 0121 709 7590 or admin@solihullcommunityhub.org.uk.
For support through the Financial Inclusion Team at Solihull Council, please contact 0121 704 6202 or email financialinclusion@solihull.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can make an online application here, or contact Solihull Connect on 0121 704 8284.
