Thousands of households can get up to £250 in free cash – check if you’re eligible & exact date you need to apply by
THOUSANDS of hard-up households could get up to £250 in free cash.
The support comes from the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme, which ends on September 31.
Under the HSF, each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
The latest local authority to dish out help to those who need it, is Enfield Council.
Nearly £3million has been allocated to support the vulnerable in the north London borough amid rising energy bills and cost of living.
The funding was granted on April 1, 2024, and needs to be spent by September 30.
If you’re eligible for the payment, it must be used to help with the cost of food, water bills and other essential costs.
A council spokesperson said: “In Enfield, HSF funding has enabled the Council to help low-income households with cost of meals in the school holidays, school food banks, the cost of school uniforms and direct payments to low income households as well as financial support for residents in Temporary Accommodation.
“You can apply for support if your household’s yearly net income is less than £40,000 and savings are less than £1,000.
“The Household Support Fund can help households with food and water bills, essential costs related to energy, food and water, and other necessary expenses.
“The fund can also help with housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet this need.
“If you apply for support through our application form, for help with energy, water and wider essentials, we will credit your nominated bank account. Cash awards are limited to £250.”
It comes as 84 per cent of authorities are braced for a significant increase in demand for support in the coming months, but many will not be able to plug the shortfall, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Only 1 per cent of councils said they could match the funding when it expires, while just over two-thirds (67 per cent) reported that local welfare funding, which is administered by councils, would decrease if the fund was withdrawn.
The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location, so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
Some councils will make payouts automatically, and others will require you to fill out an application form.
You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.
How to check if you're eligible
TO find out if you’re eligible for the support, you need to fill in an application form which can be found via your local council website.
For Enfield residents in particular, you can find out more here.
Enfield Council households are eligible to apply if they have:
- An annual household net income of less than £40,000
- Savings of less than £1,000
Calculations for the annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, or Child Benefit.
Residents with no access to public funds are eligible to apply too.
To be considered, you need to explain:
- The hardship you are experiencing
- Why you are not able to meet your expenses
Proof of income for all household members and a copy of your most recent bank statement and utility bill will also be required.
The funding runs until the end of September, which is the deadline for which councils must dish out the available money to hard-up households.
The government has not confirmed whether it will extend the scheme, but there are calls for its renewal.
Pete Marland, chairman of the LGA’s economy and resources board, said: “The Household Support Fund is a vital safety net for vulnerable residents struggling with the cost of living, but is currently due to run out in a matter of weeks.
“As our survey shows, services including grants for energy and food, supplying essential furniture and white goods, paying for energy efficiency improvements, funding food banks, offering food vouchers for children during school holidays and employment and financial advice are all at risk of being lost and irreplaceable.
“We are approaching another cliff edge before the current fund runs out and we urge the government to urgently extend this for at least another six months, to help support those most affected through the winter when energy bills in particular are expected to be higher.”
Households need to act quickly if they wish to apply to their local authority for funding through the scheme.
Councils can still close their schemes before the September 31 deadline if all funds become allocated beforehand.
For example, East Cambridgeshire District Council closed applications for £110 grants on July 25.
Other councils may do the same.