Exact code which signals if you’re owed up to £200 cost of living payment – are you eligible?
THOUSANDS of households could be due £200 by the end of July to help with the cost of living crisis.
Struggling residents and families who live in the East Riding of Yorkshire will soon receive the money, handed out from the Household Support Fund (HSF).
This fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, aims to support those most in need.
Through the HSF, households with children, those with pensioners, and others can get help with the cost of food, energy, and water, as well as bills.
In the East Riding of Yorkshire, some households will receive a single payment of £200 by the end of July 2024.
The payments are made automatically to households in receipt of council tax support, but the following criteria also apply:
- your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G, and a member of your household is disabled, or
- your household has been identified as being in or at risk of financial crisis.
The council said residents are eligible also if they are a care leaver and responsible for Council Tax at their address.
You’re also eligible if you previously made an application between April 2023 and March 2024 and received a Household Support Fund payment, the council added on its website.
If the conditions above are met, you don’t need to apply to receive this £200 payment as it’s automatically paid into your bank account.
If the council doesn’t have your bank account details, it will get in touch.
But households can also apply for support payments until August 31, 2024 – and these are not paid automatically,
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.
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 is worth £421 million to councils in England so that they could help struggling household.
Who qualifies is a postcode lottery too, as each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.
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.
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