THOUSANDS of households across the UK can now claim hundreds of pounds worth of free cash, household appliances, and help with energy bills under the extended Household Support Fund.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that the scheme will continue to run from April 1, 2024, through to March 31, 2025, offering assistance to those struggling with the Cost of Living.
The extension of this grant offers a helping hand to vulnerable households struggling to pay for necessities like energy, water, and essential household items.
Each local council receives a portion of the £421million fund, which is then distributed to residents based on need.
Some councils may provide direct cash payments, while others issue vouchers to help cover essentials like energy or food.
How the money is distributed will vary, so it’s important to check with your local authority.
For example, Birmingham City Council has announced £200 payments to help residents with winter costs.
Other councils, like Coventry, have offered community supermarket schemes, where households can pay £5 a week and get a basket of food worth up to £25.
However, there are changes to the scheme this time around.
Some councils have introduced monthly caps on funding, meaning once the allocated amount for the month is spent, applications are paused until the following month.
This is to ensure that everyone has a chance to receive support, but it does mean you should apply as soon as possible.
The Household Support Fund is designed to help households in financial difficulty, particularly those on low incomes or those who don’t qualify for other forms of government assistance.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet due to rising living costs, you could be eligible for support.
You’ll likely need to prove your financial hardship when applying.
This can include showing evidence of your income, benefits, or other forms of support you’re currently receiving.
For example, if you’re receiving Universal Credit or a council tax reduction, you could qualify.
But even if you’re not on benefits, you may still be able to get help if you can demonstrate financial hardship.
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.
Applications for the Household Support Fund are handled by your local council, and the process can vary depending on where you live.
Most councils offer online application forms, but if you need help completing an application, you can call your council’s customer service centre for assistance.
To apply, you’ll need to provide details such as your National Insurance number and may need to submit bank statements or benefit evidence.
If you’re applying for a family member or someone else, there’s also an option to upload supporting documents like benefit letters or pay slips to prove eligibility.
Some councils, such as Haringey, are issuing automatic payments to eligible residents, while others require residents to apply directly.
If you’re unsure of the process in your area, it’s best to check your local council’s website.
The support available through the Household Support Fund can vary depending on where you live, but most councils offer help with energy bills, food support, and household essentials.
Single people or couples without children can receive up to £120, while families may be eligible for £160.
Households can also get help with essential items like fridges, cookers, and bedding if there’s an exceptional need, such as a medical condition or a risk to a child’s wellbeing.
But it’s not just energy and food that the fund can help with.
If you need support with heating repairs, lighting repairs, or even housing costs in an emergency, the Household Support Fund may be able to help, as long as other housing schemes have been exhausted.
To find out what support is available in your area, you can use the government’s local authority checker on the gov.uk website.
Simply enter your postcode, and you’ll be directed to your council’s website, where you can find more details about the fund.
It’s worth noting that some councils are experiencing high demand for the scheme, so you may face delays in receiving your award.
For instance, vouchers for fuel support are currently taking between 5-10 working days to be issued, while applications for household appliances can take 4-6 weeks.
If you’re struggling and think you could benefit from this scheme, it’s a good idea to apply early, as councils may pause applications once the allocated monthly funds are exhausted.
So, if you’re finding it tough to make ends meet, don’t miss out on this lifeline.
Apply through your local council today and see what help you can get to ease the burden of rising living costs this winter.
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
