Very soon, a £500 payment is to be made to several households from the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) Amid the cost of living Crisis.
The funds are allocated by local authorities to residents who qualify for this service, and each council decides on how much it will allocate depending on its location.
Its purpose is to address basic needs such as food, clothing and utilities as well as offer support through vouchers and small grants during times of high cost of living.
Councils Roll Out New Support Payments Amid Cost of Living Crisis
Last week also saw the latest HSF local council schemes identified across districts:
Doncaster
In Doncaster, thousands of people may qualify for a £290 grant in cash. Consequently, Doncaster Council has given an allocation that can aid households receiving any of these benefits:
- Housing benefit
- Local council tax reduction
- Means-tested free school meals
- Universal Credit (including the housing element)
- Universal Credit (including the housing element)
Payments will be distributed as follows:
- Single individuals without dependent children: £50
- Couples without dependent children: £70
- Households with one dependent child: £110 (two payments of £55)
- Households with two dependent children: £170 (two payments of £85)
- Households with three dependent children: £230 (two payments of £115)
- Households with four or more dependent children: £290 (two payments of £145)
A dependent child is one who is in receipt of child benefit. Anybody who received their payment before from the program will get their payments without questions. These include pensioners or those not on pensions who did not receive any money earlier and meet the criteria but must fill out an online application.
Kirklees
In Kirklees, West Yorkshire, thousands of homes are entitled to £300 payments designed to help them offset rising bills. It is expected that over 15,000 people are eligible for this financial assistance, according to Kirklees Council.
The council is also extending help to local food banks and community organizations. So, applicants must apply and once the eligibility has been confirmed, payments will be made.
Eligible recipients are those on low incomes or benefits who need assistance with energy costs and feeding their families. Free school meals for families will automatically get support during school holidays without any application process.
Newcastle
Newcastle City Council has given out food vouchers to households in receipt of free school meals during holiday periods while at the same time giving hardship payments of £200 to families facing significant financial problems.
Qualification for this grant is based on having household responsibilities as well as a budget deficit that leads to expenses being more than incomes. Newcastle City Council's Advice Compact partners must have sought its residents' help through them to authorize the fund. Individual applications are not allowed.
A comprehensive list of the council’s advice partners can be found on its website. According to Newcastle City Council, funding was “limited” hence some people may miss out on receiving payment.
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Council is issuing £140 worth of e-vouchers to several homes that can be spent at nine retailers, and these are given to households who get a 100% council tax reduction.
On the first week of July, eligible homes started receiving letters providing guidance on how to go about claiming their vouchers. Every letter carries an individual redemption code, which will need to be inserted into the council’s site.
The redeeming process has to be completed by August 5th so that £140 can be availed before the expiry date of this voucher system. To claim the e-vouchers, you need an email account.
Worcestershire
The council has enabled people living in Worcestershire counties to access the HSF scheme facilitated by Act on Energy, which is responsible for its management. Participants who are eligible may apply for assistance with their electric bills, gas costs and water charges as well as oil, LPG and solid fuel bills.
Households with at least one child below 18 years or young adults up to 21 who are studying full-time could receive a maximum amount of £500 while adult residents aged between 18 and 66 without children get up to £300 for support purposes.
Equally, single adults or couples who qualify for pensionable age shall also obtain from this reward or incentive scheme thirty pounds towards their expenses (HM Government n.d.).
How to Apply for the HSF in Your Area
Contact your area council for help from the Household Support Fund, as advised by the Government website. To know if you qualify for it and access it in your area, do this:
- Visit Your Local Council's Website: Almost every local government has an official website that has information about the household support fund in the form of eligibility criteria, application procedures and contacts for further assistance.
- Check Eligibility Criteria: This will often depend on things like income levels, some benefits received (such as Council Tax Support or Universal Credit) and specific household circumstances (for example having children, being a pensioner or having disabilities).
- Look for Application Details: Some councils make payments automatically to eligible residents, while others require applications. How to apply, what documents are needed and deadlines are usually posted on the local authority’s website.
- Contact Your Council Directly: If you cannot get the details online, call your local council’s customer service or welfare support department.