THOUSANDS of households are yet to claim free money worth over £57million – and have just weeks left to get it.
The cash boost comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF), with the latest round worth £421million to councils in England.
The fund is designed to help hard-up households cover the cost of living through cash grants and supermarket or energy vouchers.
Local authorities started distributing their share of the multi-million pound pot in April and have until September 30 to allocate it all.
But a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to English councils by loan provider Creditspring whose response has been shared exclusively with The Sun reveals over £57million out of the £421million is yet to be allocated.
The lender’s analysis reveals almost 100 councils are yet to dish out their full share of the fund.
Meanwhile, it shows 22 authorities have over £1million each yet to hand out to residents in need.
In total, the top 10 councils that owe the most to households are yet to pay out over £28million.
Neil Kadagathur, chief executive officer and co-founder of Creditspring, said: “The Household Support Fund provides a lifeline for thousands of families across the UK.
“However, given the huge sums that remain unclaimed, it’s clearly not working to its full potential and vulnerable people are missing out on vital support.”
The fresh figures from Creditspring come just days after the Government confirmed it is extending the HSF into spring 2025.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said a further £421million will be given to councils in England to be distributed between October this year and April next year.
Last month, councils had sounded the alarm over the Government not extending the crucial fund – first launched in 2021 – as households gear up for a costly winter.
Energy bills for the average household under the Ofgem price cap will rise by £149 a year from October 1, piling pressure on households.
Meanwhile, the Government confirmed in July Winter Fuel Payments will be means-tested this year, meaning millions will miss out on an extra up to £300 to cover higher bills over the colder months.
Mr Kadagathur from Creditspring said it was crucial councils and the Government keep residents better informed about the newest round of HSF from October so eligible households can claim the help they need.
“Whilst the extension of the (HSF) scheme will benefit a huge number of households, it’s hugely important that councils also reassess how they are communicating the support available to boost awareness of the fund as well as simplify the application process.
“This will help to ensure that not only as many people are benefiting from these payments as possible, but also these vulnerable people aren’t forced to turn to predatory lenders or high-cost loans to make ends meet.”
The Household Support Fund was first launched in September 2021 to help vulnerable households cover the cost of living over winter.
It was due to close at the end of March 2022, but has since been extended five times until April 2025.
The fund is shared by the Government among councils in England, with the October to April 2025 allotment worth £421million.
A further £79million has been shared among councils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For each round of the HSF, local authorities have been given a unique amount and able to set their own eligibility criteria.
That means what you are entitled to varies depending on where you live.
But, as the fund was set up to help vulnerable households, you usually qualify for help if you are on benefits like Universal Credit, have a low income or minimal savings.
The type of help on offer varies from cash grants to energy and supermarket vouchers.
In some cases you have to apply, whereas in others you receive the help automatically.
If you think you might be in line for help from the current round, or the next round from October, it’s worth getting in touch with your local council.
You can find your local council by using the Government’s council locator tool on gov.uk.
The figures received by Creditspring and shared with The Sun reveal around 100 councils are yet to allocate their portion from the current round of the HSF.
This includes Nottinghamshire County Council which has £1,250,720 left to allocate.
The council says pensioner households and those with children receiving free school meals can still apply for payments worth £110 via its website.
Brent Council also has £430,000 left to share among hard up residents, with payments worth £500 up for grabs.
You are eligible if you live in the Brent area, are aged 18 or over and have less than £6,000 in savings.
You also have to meet other eligibility criteria. Further details, and how to apply, can be found via https://www.brent.gov.uk/benefits-and-money-advice/resident-support-fund#overview.
Meanwhile, Walsall Council has £1,342,860 left to share among residents in need.
Households with dependent children or receiving a council tax reduction received £300 grant payments automatically in the summer, but others can still apply for the cash on the council’s website.
If you don’t meet the criteria listed above you can also make an application for similar support if you:
You can hover over your area on the below map which will reveal if your local council still has money left to share from the current HSF round.
If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund, it’s worth checking if you qualify for benefits.
Figures from Policy in Practice earlier this year revealed millions of people aren’t claiming the extra help when they could be.
In total, £23billion went unclaimed in the 2023/24 financial year, with £8.3billion worth of Universal Credit not claimed for.
You can apply for benefits on the Government’s website.
It’s not just extra money you get from benefits either, with a number opening up additional perks.
Those on Universal Credit can get help covering the cost of childcare, for example, while those on Pension Credit can get a free TV licence.
Those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit also qualify for the Warm Home Discount – a £150 discount off energy bills once a year.
You may also be able to get grants to cover your energy bills if you’ve fallen into arrears.
A number of energy firms offer grants to struggling customers, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas.
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, speak to your supplier to see if they can give you any help.
You might also be able to get help via the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
Under the scheme, suppliers have a legal obligation to implement energy-saving measures in your home.
Help is offered on a case-by-case basis, but it can mean having a new boiler fitted, or loft or cavity wall insulation put in, often for free.
You also have to be claiming certain benefits to qualify for the scheme.
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
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