Exact date thousands of households must apply for £200 free cash payment or miss out on cost of living help
HOUSEHOLDS have just weeks left to apply for £200 free cash to help with everyday expenses.
Struggling residents and families who live in the East Riding of Yorkshire have until August 31 2024 to apply for support payments.
The cash, which is available to those in and out of work, is being handed out from the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The HSF provides financial help to struggling households, and has been extended several times since it was first introduced by the Government in 2021.
Funding is given out to local councils to distribute to those most in need in their area.
This means the support available varies across the country and what you can get depends on where you live.
Depending on where you live money could be paid out as a direct cash transfer, shopping vouchers or by other means to help with bills and other expenses.
Eligibility is usually based on your financial circumstances and what benefits you receive.
East Riding of Yorkshire is distributing the cash as support payments to help with the spiralling cost of living.
Thousands will have already received payments if they get of council tax support, but the fund is also available for others to apply to.
Those who have not received automatic payments can apply to receive funds up until August 31.
Successful applicants will receive £200 cash support with cost of living expenses.
Those in a working household can apply can apply if:
- they are an East Riding resident (you receive a Council Tax bill from East Riding Of Yorkshire Council)
- they are working, but not in receipt of any benefits, and
- their income is below £28,000 per year for single households and under £33,000 per year for other households, and
- they have under £6,000 in savings or in a bank account.
Unpaid carer households need to meet these conditions:
- being an East Riding resident
- being an unpaid adult carer who does not receive the carers allowance, and
- the person you care for receives a disability payment, and
- your income is below £28,000 per year for single households and under £33,000 per year for other households, and
- having under £6,000 in savings or in a bank account.
Eligible households will receive their payment within 20 days of making an application and providing all supporting evidence.
Free cash schemes if you're struggling
Many of us are still struggling with the high cost of living - but there's help you can get.
New or expectant parents can get up to £442 a year to spend on food through Healthy Start scheme.
Some new parents can get £500 via the Sure Start Maternity Grant. The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a child.
Councils also offer support through the welfare assistance schemes, to help cover the costs of essentials, from buying new furniture to food vouchers.
The amount you can get varies but an investigation by The Sun found that hard-up Brits can apply for help worth up to £1,000.
Discretionary Housing Payment is a pot of money handed out by councils to those struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
A scheme is available for those who find themselves unable to cover housing costs, though the exact amount varies as each local authority dishes out the cash on a case-by-case basis.
Many energy forms offer grants to help cash-tight customers. The exact amount varies depending on your supplier and you circumstances, but could be as much a £2,000.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The HSF was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.
The latest round of funding has seen £421million passed on to councils in England to help struggling households in their area.
Each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria, so what you could receive is a postcode lottery.
However, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, you will likely qualify for help.
The HSF was recently extended in the Government’s Spring Budget until September and some councils have already opened for applications.
For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.
Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.
In Cambridgeshire, residents in need of support can apply for a financial award of £110 per household.
Even better, residents can apply twice for support between 1 April and September 30 this year, meaning each household could be in line to receive as much as £220.
The funds can be paid in a lump sum of £110 into your bank account, or split between different types of vouchers.
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.
But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover the costs of your weekly grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
And you don’t 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 check with your council.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application process.
If there’s no information on your council’s website, then it’s best to ring them up and ask for more information.
What council tax support is available?
THERE are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill.
In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction.
Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get.
To apply, visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.
You’ll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details.
Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill:
Single person discount
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
Retirees
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.
Low-income households
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax.
Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories