Thousands of households have days left to apply for free cash payments worth £300
THOUSANDS of households have just days left to claim a cash payment worth £300, designed to help with rising winter fuel costs.
Households will have to act fast if they haven’t already applied, as the application deadline is next week, January 26.
The payments are part of the Household Support Fund, a government-backed scheme designed to help low-income families, pensioners, carers, and other vulnerable groups cover the rising cost of living.
Shropshire Council has been given £2.1million to distribute as part of this initiative, which runs until March 30, 2025.
The Household Support Fund was first introduced by the government in 2021 and has since been extended, with the latest round covering October 1, 2024, to March 30, 2025.
The fund is a lifeline for households struggling with essential costs, such as energy and water bills, food, and other necessities.
It also offers support in certain special cases for housing costs, although mortgage payments are excluded.
Each local council is responsible for distributing the fund, meaning the type of support and the eligibility criteria vary depending on where you live.
Some councils offer direct cash payments, while others provide vouchers to help with essentials.
Shropshire Council has been working with partner organisations to ensure the money reaches those most in need, including families, care leavers, disabled people, single-person households, and those facing unexpected financial shocks.
The £300 is available to pensioner households in Shropshire who are receiving council tax support and/or housing benefit but are not in receipt of pension credit.
Eligible households should have already received a letter from the council’s benefits team, which includes a unique identifier code needed to complete the application.
If you think you qualify but haven’t received a letter, it’s crucial to contact the council immediately.
How to apply
The deadline to apply is around the corner, so you’ll have to act fast.
To apply, visit the Shropshire Council website and fill in the application form before the January 26 deadline.
Make sure you have your national insurance number and your unique identifier code from the letter to hand when submitting your application.
While the scheme officially runs until the end of March, funding is limited, and once it’s gone, there won’t be any more support available.
If you’re eligible, don’t delay.
Apply now to ensure you don’t miss out on the free cash payment that could make a big difference this winter.
What if i don’t live in Shropshire?
You don’t have to live in Shropshire to get help from the Household Support Fund.
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.
You may be able to receive free cash or vouchers to cover the cost of heating your home or the weekly food shop.
For those living in areas where no direct applications are required, councils often reach out to eligible residents automatically.
If you haven’t heard from your council but think you might qualify for help, contact them directly to avoid missing out.
This support comes as the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on millions of households, with energy costs and food prices remaining high despite government interventions.
The HSF offers a vital lifeline to those in need, but only if they act in time to secure the help on offer.
OTHER HELP THIS WINTER
If you’re struggling to cover the cost of food and are on benefits, you could be able to receive help via the Healthy Start scheme.
Those eligible get a card which gets topped up with free cash that can be spent on food and other essentials at certain UK shops.
You can get the card topped up by as much as £442 a year, depending on your circumstances.
Those who are struggling with energy bills could get a grant from their energy firm, if they’re falling behind on payments.
British Gas and Octopus Energy both have schemes that offer to pay you non-repayable grants.
Other energy companies are handing out freebies like electric blankets and air fryers, too, including Octopus Energy and EDF.
It’s worth checking if you can get your council tax bill reduced or even wiped completely if you’re on a low income or benefits too.
For example, single person households can get a 25% discount while pensioners on the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit can get up to 100% off.
Check if you qualify for benefits – billions of pounds’ worth is going unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice.
There are three major free calculators you can use to see what you might be entitled to:
- Policy in Practice better off calculator
- entitledto benefits calculator
- Turn2us benefits calculator
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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