Just hours left for thousands of hard-up households to get £100s worth of white goods or new boiler – how to claim now
STRUGGLING households have only a few hours left to claim hundreds of pounds worth of white goods or a new boiler — here’s how to apply now.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government scheme which aims to support those most in need.
Around £1.8million is available to households in Gateshead until September 30.
Households struggling to afford energy bills, food and wider essentials will be eligible for the fund.
The council confirmed they will use the funds to help residents replace kitchen appliances, install carpets for warmth, repair or replace boilers, and pay off large utility bills.
However, only householders in Gateshead who need support will be eligible.
Gateshead Council will evaluate a household’s income and expenses to decide if they qualify for assistance from the funds.
Residents who have received funds from the scheme since May 1 will no longer be eligible to apply again.
The council announced that they will not be offering food vouchers as part of the scheme.
Households in need of food support should reach out to Citizens Advice Gateshead for additional help.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first set up in October 2021 and has now been extended six times.
Councils in England are now able to benefit from the latest round of funding which amounts to £421million.
Nationwide councils have received a portion of the cash to distribute to households in need.
But there is a postcode lottery to determine who qualifies and each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.
Yet 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.
The HSF’s fifth round of funding will close on September 30, but the government has extended the scheme until April 2025 with the injection of a further £421million.
Applications may still be being accepted for the fifth round of funding, so it’s still worth checking with your local authority.
Applications to access the next round of funding will open in October.
Councils will determine how the cash is distributed. For example, households in Leicestershire have been able to apply for a financial award of £300 per household, which was paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food.
The payment could be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets.
Meanwhile, residents of Leeds could receive council tax support with those with dependent children able to claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25.
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.
You may be able to receive free cash or vouchers to cover the cost of heating your home, or the weekly food grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
Additionally, you do not 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.
How do you apply?
To get the help, you’ll need to look it up with your council because local authorities are the ones responsible for distributing the funding.
To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.
Once you’ve identified your local council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding online.
Every council has a separate application process, meaning specific details regarding how to apply depend on whereabouts you live.
The eligibility requirements to access the fund might vary in addition so it’s best to check with your local council for further details.
Some councils won’t need you to apply for help and will get in touch instead if you qualify.
If you can’t find any information on your council’s website, it’ s a good idea to call them and ask for further information.
History of the Household Support Fund
Here is everything you need to know...
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 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.
The current fund is due to close on September 30 although there have been calls to extend it again.