Thousands of low-income households can get free cash worth up to £500 NOW to help with bills – are you one of them?
THOUSANDS of low-income households can get free cash worth up to £500 to help them with bills.
The offer is part of a Government financial support scheme and aims to get families under the cosh back on their feet.
The Discretionary Hardship Support Policy is “intended to alleviate hardship and support those most in need that have been affected by the significant rising in cost of living and are suffering financial hardship.”
Support may be provided to help with:
- The cost of living
- Energy costs and arrears
- Help towards the provision of essential white goods (emergency need only)
- Help towards moving in packs for new tenancies (emergency need only)
- In some circumstances the Council may consider additional financial support for reasons not listed above such as severe or long-term financial issues.
The council can pay via numerous ways including cash (via ATM’s), BACs, Vouchers, pay energy suppliers directly or by purchasing goods direct and delivering them.
It’s a cash first approach but, based on the resident’s needs or vulnerabilities, the council can vary the payment approach.
For applications made for basic cost of living support to assist with ongoing food and basic energy costs, the council will provide a basic flat rate to all applications.
For single/couple households without children: A flat rate award of £380.
For single/couple households with children: A flat rate award of £500.
However, this is the basic award for standard food and utility applications, awards can vary based on application type, individual needs etc.
All Barking and Dagenham residents on a low income and struggling with the cost of living are eligible for the support fund.
The council reviews all applications and assesses income, expenditure and if the resident has the sufficient funds to cover essential bills.
When reviewing bank statements and it’s clear applicants are spending money on ‘luxury’ things such as tv/streaming subscriptions or holidays, applications will be refused and the council will work with them to show them better ways to spend money to make sure essential bills are covered.
To apply for the Household Support Fund (HSF) or Discretionary Council Tax Relief (DCTR) you should be:
- A resident of London Borough of Barking & Dagenham for 3 months before applying or placed in temporary accommodation outside of the borough by our homeless team
- For the DCTR scheme hold a current live Council Tax Account affected by rising living costs including food and utility price increases
- Have taken steps to maximise incomes available to you via claiming Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and all other benefits or support as to which you may be entitled
- Not had a previous award within 6 months of submitting your application unless you have extenuating circumstances relating to:
- A fire or flood at the property
- A significant life occurrence such as a bereavement
- A life changing/terminal illness
- A significant, abrupt, and unplanned change in financial circumstances caused by one of the reasons listed above
- Any application where a previous award within 6 months is not declared, will be checked on our database, and if found to have received a previous award within 6 months of applying this will then be refused with no appeal rights
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.
Payment plans differ depending on each applicant. For instance, the council can agree to a weekly award for 12 weeks, which means the money will go on the same day and time, every week for 12 weeks.
A resident may apply for support for food and utilities, however if it’s the rental payments that are causing an issue, the council could look to award a DHP as opposed to a HSF award.
The council reviews the entire financial situation of a resident before making an award to make sure the most appropriate sustainable option is provided. This may also include awarding Council Tax Support, Free School Meals or referrals to other appropriate services.
What are other councils offering?
Residents in Blackpool can receive up to £300 in support from the Household Support Fund.
Those living in Bracknell Forest could be eligible for a £315 cash grant.
Low-income households in Cambridgeshire can apply for a financial award of £110 per household.
Those living in Falkirk in receipt of a council tax reduction, housing benefit, Universal Credit, income support, jobseekers allowance or pension credit can apply for up to £470 in cash support.
Middlesborough is awarding hard-up families up to £70.
Rutland County Council will provide one payment of £200 to care leavers this month.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £500million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.