THOUSANDS of working parents can get £100 in free cash to help with their food shop and energy bills this winter.
The cash support is provided through the Household Support Fund worth £421million.
Hard-up households in Middlesborough can get up to £100 in free cash to help with bills
And fresh funding for the scheme is available to local authorities until March.
The scheme was first established last year, extended for the second time in the March budget and for a third time in November to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
The 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’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.
Thousands of residents in Middlesborough are due electronic vouchers to help pay for food and other essential household bills.
And eligible households can get up to £100 in free supermarket vouchers or energy vouchers depending on their circumstances.
What are councils offering and who is eligible?
Local authorities have had some autonomy on how they use the Fund to reach the vulnerable people in their communities.
Eligibility requirements will vary depending on where you live – so check directly with your council if you could get the cash help.
For example, residents eligible for the scheme who live in Middlesborough could get between £50 and £100.
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for cash help if you are:
- Did not get the £650 cost of living payment from the government last year or a Household Support Fund payment since September 1 2022
- Benefits including Universal Credit and Pension Credit
If you’re a single person, you must have an income of £25,000 or less (before tax).
You must also have less than £6,000 in savings.
If you’re a couple living together, you must have an income of £45,000 or less (before tax).
You must also have less than £6,000 in savings.
If your application is successful, you’ll get a supermarket voucher, energy voucher, or a combination of both depending on your circumstances. The voucher will be:
- £50 for a single person household
- £75 for a single person with children
- £75 for a couple
- £100 for a couple with children
How do I apply for the Household Support Fund?
Some households will be notified that they can apply for the cash help and others will receive the cash automatically.
Again, your council will set out whether or not you need to apply for the free cash.
Those who live in Middlesborough and think they’re eligible for the Household Support Fund will need to apply by filling in an online form.
As part of your application, you will need to provide evidence that you did not get the £650 cost of living payment from the government.
What other support is available?
As part of the Autumn Statement, it was revealed millions on benefits and Universal Credit will receive an extra one-off £900.
Eight million households currently get cost-of-living payments worth up to £650, but eligibility criteria could change under any new rules.
Pensioners have also started getting a £300 one-off payment.
The current pensioner cost of living payment is being handed out to millions on a low income.
You qualify under the current rules if you normally get the winter fuel payment, but this could change under the new rules.
The £300 cost of living payment is paid on top of the other winter support.
You’ll need to be:
- born on or before 25 September 1956
- have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”
Struggling families are eligible for the Warm House Discount to help them tackle the cost of living.
The scheme is where eligible households can get £150 off their electricity bill each winter – but you’ll have to wait until the colder months to get the money off.
Households in England and Wales don’t need to apply to get the cash and they’ll automatically qualify if they are receiving certain benefits.
You can read more about who’s eligible here.
There are also plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling:
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
There’s also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment meter.
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