THOUSANDS of households can get up to £450 in free support – and you don’t have to be on Universal Credit or other benefits.
The support is provided through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme and is available across the country.
But time is running out for people to put in a claim
as the fund is set to close on March 31.
Councils are giving out the cash to struggling households to help them with the rising cost of bills and food.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
You don’t always need to be on benefits or Universal Credit
to be eligible for the cash.
There are also some areas offering the help to households who don’t claim support from the government.
We’ve rounded up the councils offering this help – and you could get as much as £650.
To get more information on what support is available, and how to get it, you’ll need to contact your local council.
You can find yours using the gov.uk council checker tool.
Manchester – £300
People living in Manchester could be eligible for a free £300 payment from the council.
You can get the cash if you meet the following criteria:
- You’re in receipt of Housing Benefit but no other DWP or HMRC benefits
- Have not had a cost of living payment from the government
If you meet the eligibility criteria you will need to complete an application to get a payment.
As part of the application process, the council will perform checks to ensure you were not entitled to the Cost of Living Payments, and this may involve asking you for bank statements.
If your application is successful you’ll get the money through to your bank account.
Stockton-on-Tees – £300
Households in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council catchment area can get up to £300 worth of help.
If you’re on a low income and don’t receive a Council Tax Reduction, then you might be eligible for support – but there are certain criteria you have to meet.
You can apply if no members of your household have received the government’s cost of living support payment and your total net income doesn’t exceed more than £600 for a family.
If you think you may be eligible, you can apply on the council’s website.
Care leavers aged 18 to 25 will also receive a voucher worth £75.
Calderdale – £450
Residents in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, are set for a one-off £50 payment.
The free cash will be given to families on housing benefit, and/or Council Tax reductions or free school meals.
Calderdale Council began contacting eligible families in January, but households can still register for payment if they think they’re eligible.
The deadline for applications is Thursday, February 29.
Households with a disabled marker on the council’s welfare and benefits system should receive a £50 payment this month too.
Payments will begin on February 19 and be staggered throughout week.
Calderdale Council has also set up a Discretionary Hardship Scheme (DHS) as part of its fund.
Households who don’t get any extra cost of living support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can get up to £450.
To apply, you must provide your last two bank statements for all of your accounts, and your partner’s.
North Yorkshire Council – £450
People who live in the North Yorkshire Council area can get a £450 e-voucher to help with food and other essential costs.
The authority said it has sent out letters to all eligible households with information on how to use the e-voucher.
The payment will be made to households who received housing benefit between August 18, 2023 and September 17, 2023, but didn’t qualify for the government’s cost of living payment.
Eligible households will get a single e-voucher payment to pay for food and other essentials over the coming months.
The nine different supermarkets eligible people can choose from are:
- Aldi
- Asda
- Farmfoods
- Iceland
- Marks and Spencer
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury’s
- Tesco
- Waitrose
Only Asda, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose offer both in-store and online shopping options for those with an e-voucher.
Blackburn
People who live in the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council area can get free cash to help towards energy and water bills as well as other costs.
Household support may be available for:
- Blackburn with Darwen residents, children, families and adults
- Single income household with a total annual household income below £26,057
- Households with a total annual income below £38,870
To be eligible you must have less than £16,000 in savings.
You must be able to provide evidence of your total household income in the form of wage slips and bank statements, showing your name and address and upload these to your application.
If you have applied previously under the previous "income-related benefits" criteria you will not be eligible to apply again.
The council hasn’t specified how much will be on offer to each household but it will be allocated on a case by case basis.
Head over the the Blackburn with Darwen council website to apply and for more information.
Burnley
Households in Burnley could also receive
