One-week warning for thousands of households to apply for free £250 grant before applications close
HOUSEHOLDS have just days left to apply for a £250 free cash grant to help with the costs of living.
The cash support is available through the government’s Household Support Fund.
The scheme works by handing councils up and down the country a slice of funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
Each local authority gets a different proportion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.
The voucher or grant amounts vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
For example, struggling residents and families who live in North East Lincolnshire have until September 30, to apply for a free cash grant.
This scheme is available to residents over 16 years of age who are most in need, to help with the cost of food, energy and other household bills and wider essentials.
To receive a payment a household must be able to prove that it does not have sufficient income to afford essentials such as housing costs, utility bills, food and other basic items.
Funding can also be used to support households that are struggling to afford wider essentials such as broadband or phone bills, clothing, and essential transport-related costs.
Households will need to provide evidence to secure their application.
Only those with an income of less than £20,000 and savings of less than £500 will qualify.
The maximum payment available to each household is £250.
Applications can be made through the following referral partners:
- Centre 4 Community – Connect NEL
- Foresight North East Lincolnshire
- Creating Positive Opportunity- external site
- NAViGO- external site (for NAViGO service users only)
- Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
- Oasis
Referral partners will also be able to signpost applicants to other help and support that may be available to them.
To find out more, visit nelincs.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund.
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 £421million 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.
What if I don’t live in North East Lincolnshire?
To get help, you’ll need to check with your council, as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.
Once you’ve found your council, there should be information on how to apply on its website.
Each council has a different application process, so the exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.
That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary.
Some councils don’t require you to apply for help – if you qualify, they’ll contact you about it instead.
If your council’s website does not provide information, it’s best to call them and ask for more information.
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.
East Devon District Council is offering a one-off payment of £100 to households receiving housing benefit or council tax reduction.
Cheshire East Council is also offering struggling families £500 grants to fight the cost of living.
To find out what’s on offer from your council, visit gov.uk/find-local-council.
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.