Warning for millions to apply for free cash support as fund set to close in weeks – are you missing out on up to £500?
THOUSANDS of households need to act now to claim up to £500 in free cash or supermarket vouchers before a vital scheme is withdrawn.
Families who are struggling to make ends meet can get help with the cost of living through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The scheme offers help to struggling households and has been extended several times since it was introduced by the Government in 2021.
Currently, households have until September 30 to claim the vital cash but insiders say the Treasury looks set to extended so that there’s fresh help after the deadline.
The Government has already faced heavy criticism after it announced that it will scrap winter fuel payments for 10million pensioners in England and Wales.
The HSF funding is given to local councils to distribute, which means the amount of support you can get will vary depending where you live.
For example, Islington in London was given £2.2 million in funding this year but Southend-on-Sea received £2.8 million.
Each council can decide how best to distribute the money, so it could be paid out as a cash transfer or as shopping vouchers.
The money is typically given out based on your financial situation and the benefits you get.
What help is available?
Luton
Households in Luton who need financial support can apply for up to £500 of vouchers which can be used for groceries, utilities or exchanged for cash.
Families with children who receive free school meals will have automatically received this support through their schools and the payments were made before the school holidays.
But those who are not eligible for free school meals, or those without children, can apply for the funding through the council’s website.
As soon as the necessary documents are received and processed the money should be awarded within ten working days.
Thousands of households could be missing out on the money as previous rounds of funding have helped up to 15,000 families.
To be eligible you need to live in Luton, have less than £6,00 in savings and either receive one of several eligible benefits or have a household income of less than £34,100.
The amount of money you receive will depend on whether you receive any of the eligible benefits, have children aged under five, use medical equipment for an illness or disability or have a prepayment meter.
What is the Household Support Fund?
THE Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021 and has since been extended five times, until September 2024.
The current round of funding is worth £421 million for councils in England.
The amount you will receive and whether you qualify will depend on where you live as each local authority can set criteria for distributing the funds.
The amount of money or savings in your bank, whether you are classed as vulnerable or on benefits will all help you qualify for help.
You have until September 30 to apply through the council’s website.
However, the funding may close earlier if all of the cash is allocated so apply now to avoid missing out.
Birmingham
Meanwhile, families in Birmingham can apply for up to £200 to help cover the costs of food and energy payments.
To qualify you must live in Birmingham, be experiencing financial hardship, such as struggling to pay for food and energy, and not have received funding in the past year.
The fastest way to apply is to complete the enquiry form on the BVSC website.
Medway
Support is also available to residents of Medway in Kent who are aged 16 or over.
To qualify for the funds you must be in “demonstrable hardship” and have less than £500 in your bank account.
When you apply you will need to provide your latest bank statement, National Insurance number and details of your household including who you live with.
What if I do not live in these areas?
Check with your local council if any funding is available.
You can find your local council using the gov.uk council finder tool.
Once you’ve found your council, there should be information on how to apply on its website.
Every council will have its own application process – so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.
This means the criteria to access the funds could also vary.
Some councils won’t require you to apply for the help and they will contact you about it instead if you qualify.
If there’s no information on your council’s website then ring them up and ask for more information.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.