THOUSANDS of hard-up households could get £115 free cash paid directly into their bank accounts before Christmas.
Struggling households can claim the money through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) now.
The HSF was extended for the sixth time from October 1, meaning households can claim help from a fresh £421million pot of funding.
Councils across the country have received a portion of the cash to distribute to those in need.
But there is a postcode lottery to determine who qualifies as each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.
Despite this if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, or are deemed to be vulnerable or on benefits, you will probably qualify for help.
Money will either be given to you as a direct cash transfer, shopping vouchers, energy support or in another form.
The amount handed out varies and the local council will determine this.
In York people of working age who receive Council Tax Support can apply to receive a payment of £115 directly into their bank account.
Those eligible for the payment will receive a letter this month with the instructions to register.
Those who need assistance with food, energy or water bills who do not receive Council Tax Support or are over pension age can also apply for a discretionary payment.
If you apply for a discretionary payment you will need to complete a means-tested assessment including personal financial information.
If you don’t live in York you should check with your local authority to see what support it is offering.
Rotherham Council is now offering struggling families £250 grants to fight the cost-of-living increase.
Those living in Birmingham can claim £200 to help with soaring winter energy payments.
Meanwhile, Wakefield Council is offering support to pensioners who will miss out on the winter fuel payment this year.
The Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021 by The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support households most in need.
The funding is distributed between councils, and they are then responsible for dishing out the cash on an application basis.
For example, Birmingham City Council have announced they will hand out free £200 cost of living payments to help its residents cope this winter, as one of its approaches to the fresh fund.
In order to be eligible for help, you may have to be in receipt of benefits or provide proof of being in financial difficulty.
Each council has a different application process – so you’ll have to ask your local authority or find out via your council’s website.
Not all councils have decided how they will distribute the cash yet, so you may have to wait to get all the information.
To find out how to contact your local authority, use the gov.uk authority tool checker.
In the last round of funding, some residents received their share automatically, while others had to apply.
For example, Haringey London Council is issuing automatic payments to eligible residents, as well as a support fund which can be applied to.
It is also issuing payments to schools, which means they can distribute free school vouchers.
In previous years, other authorities have offered cost of living vouchers – such as Coventry City Council.
This has included a Community Supermarket scheme, where all Coventry residents could pay £5 weekly and receive a basket of food worth up to £25.
Residents of Effingham, near Guildford, have been able to claim up to £300 free cash to help with the cost of living crisis.
Surrey council previously poured £300,000 into food banks, where photo ID and proof of address is required, but no referral needed.
While some schemes, such as the Surrey Crisis Fund, which can offer up to £100 to those immediately in need, are reserved for those who also rely on other means-tested benefits.
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 £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a second time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a third extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fourth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
In September 2024, the Government announced a fifth extension.
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