Households have just HOURS left to apply for £150 in cost of living cash
HOUSEHOLDS have just HOURS left to apply for £150 cost of living cash.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a giant £421million pot of money that’s been shared between councils in England.
Each local authority has been given a unique share of the fund and can decide who to give help to.
Local councils can also choose how they distribute their share of the fund, whether that be through direct bank transfers or vouchers to cover energy or food bills.
The latest round of the Household Support Fund has to be allocated by March 31 so you need to be quick.
Portsmouth Council, in Hampshire, is offering hard-up households £150 in free cash to cover their bills.
But the deadline to apply is 12pm tomorrow (March 17), so you’ll have to be quick.
The payments are being made to low income single people aged under 25 on Universal Credit and receiving the housing costs element.
Low income couples both aged under 25 on Universal Credit and receiving the housing costs element are also eligible, as are low income carers.
You must also live in one of the following postcodes: PO1 – PO6, PO7 5AT, PO7 5AU, PO7 5AX, PO7 5AY, PO7 5AZ, PO7 5BA, PO7 5BS, PO7 5BT, PO7 5BU.
You can’t apply for a payment if you are younger than 16.
Full eligibility criteria and how to apply is available on the council’s website via www.portsmouth.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can call 023 9268 8010 to apply.
Help for those who live outside Portsmouth
Despite councils having until March 31 to allocate their share of the latest round of Household Support Fund, some have already closed for applications.
Councils have had until last October to distribute their share to residents in need.
However, some local authorities may still be accepting applications for support from struggling households.
Whether you will be eligible for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria.
Household Support Fund explained
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.
However, if you on a low income, benefits or financially vulnerable, you will likely qualify for support.
The best thing to do is speak to your local council to see what help is on offer.
You can find what council area you fall under by visiting www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Other help you can claim
If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund, you might qualify for other forms of help to cover energy bills or food.
Several energy firms offer grants to households who are struggling to pay their energy bills worth up to £2,000.
This includes British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF.
New parents might also be eligible for free food worth up to £442 a year to cover the cost of healthy food and milk via the Healthy Start scheme.
Or, you can get an emergency food parcel from a Trussell Trust food bank.
You can find your nearest via www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank.
To get a food parcel, you need a voucher from a community organisation like Citizens Advice or your GP. You can then exchange this voucher for a food parcel at the food bank.
It’s also worth checking if you’re eligible for benefits if you haven’t already – billions of pounds worth is going unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice.
There are three free calculators you can use to see what you might be entitled to:
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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