Lump sum payments worth up to £500 for thousands of households struggling with food, water & energy costs – how to claim
THOUSANDS of struggling households could be eligible for grants worth up to £500.
The help comes as part of the Government’s Household support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421 million.
Eligible residents could receive funding to help with the costs of food, energy, water and other essential bills.
City of York Council has received £1.037 million of the national grant to help residents who have been struggling to fund their immediate needs.
Claimants who have been offered support must spend the money by September 30 this year.
In a City of York Council report, it has been revealed that the Household Support Fund is the fifth of its kind following on from “local Covid support schemes” that focused on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
Funded entirely by the Government, the grant has no revenue costs to the council but does require its approval.
The scheme has promised funding in at least seven different areas including a total of £200k to be split between eligible local residents.
This includes a further £200k to be offered as part of the discretionary application scheme, £10k for York Energy Advice and £40k for Community Food support.
Grants will be provided through two routes according to the local authority’s website.
Route one will see credit going into some of the 4500 households which already receive a credit to their council tax account.
Whilst Route Two will be for those not already receiving Council Tax Support or for those over pension age.
Those eligible for this pathway will apply through the discretionary application route.
To find out more about the fund and eligibility criteria head to https://www.york.gov.uk/HouseholdSupportFund.
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.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
Previous schemes of its kind saw the City of York Council support the community with funding of £15k and £30k respectively which remains within the Charis food voucher support scheme.
It has also been confirmed that pensioners will be given priority when applying to the discretionary scheme this year.
Affordability has become one of the four core commitments of the City of York Council when it adopted a new plan in September of last year.
The commitment states: “We will find new ways so everyone who lives here benefits from the success of the city, targeting our support at those who need it most, supporting communities to build on their strengths and those of the people around them.”
What does the HSF have on offer?
THE City of York Council has received over £1 million to support eligible residents in meeting their needs. This is the breakdown on what the scheme has on offer overall:
- £200k – Food & Fuel Vouchers
- £200k – Discretionary application scheme
- £40k – Community Food support
- £50k – Administration including support for two Talk Money
- campaigns
- £10k – York Energy Advice
- £500k – Support with Council Tax for working age CTS
- customers. (£110 per qualifying resident)
- £37K – Contingency
Source: City of York Council decision report