Thousands of households can receive up to £550 in cost of living payments through the Government's Household Support Fund (HSF) in the coming months.
Cost of Living Payments: Government's Household Support Fund Offers Up to £550
The government established the Household Support Fund (HSF) to provide assistance.
It has been extended several times, but the most recent phase, covering April to September, is worth a stunning £421 million.
The pool of money has been divided among councils in England, which must now determine how to distribute it.
This means that your entitlements and eligibility are determined by where you live.
However, support is frequently provided to people on low income, receiving benefits, or who are classified as vulnerable.
A list of authorities offering assistance in the most recent round has been established, with the potential to get up to £550.
If your council is not listed below, you may always check to see if your local authority is offering any assistance by visiting their website.
You may find your council via the Government's council checker tool at gov.uk/find-local-council.
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council is providing payments of up to £200 to thousands of low-income households.
You will be eligible for the payments if you receive council tax support, your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G, and one of your household members is disabled.
You will also be qualified if you get council tax help and your household has been designated as being in or in danger of financial difficulty.
Care leavers who are responsible for council tax at their current location, as well as anyone who previously applied to the HSF and received a payment between April 2023 and March 2024.
It is not required to apply for the payment; it will be instantly deposited into your bank account.
All payments of £200 will be made before the end of July.
Leeds
Leeds City Council has been given £7.09 million by the HSF.
What residents can get is determined by the amount of council tax support they receive.
Those getting council tax support who have children will receive a £100 payment.
Pensioners and working-age people without children will receive £25.
If you are eligible, you will get a payout throughout July.
Eligible households will get letters with a barcode that may be taken to the Post Office, together with their ID, to get the cash.
Lincolnshire
Households in North East Lincolnshire who are struggling can get £90 shop vouchers to help them pay for food.
The vouchers can be redeemed at a variety of big stores, including Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Tesco.
They will be administered using a portal named WONDE E from July 8 to July 18.
To be eligible for the vouchers, children must be receiving free school meals.
If a household has a low income, they can apply for cash payments of up to £250.
To get a payout, households must provide a proof that their earnings are lower than £20,000 and that their savings do not exceed £500.
Shropshire
Shropshire Council has received £2.1 million from the latest HSF round, and there is plenty more assistance available. Thousands of low-income households that get council tax help and have a dependent child living in the home will be eligible for the £400 payment.
If this is you, you will receive a letter in the mail with information on how to submit an application for the payment.
Working-age people who get council tax relief are also entitled to payments of up to £60.
Residents who fulfil these eligibility requirements will receive an automatic discount on their council tax payment, so there is no need to apply.
Stockport
Families who are having trouble paying for necessities are receiving supermarket coupons worth £105 from Stockport Council.
Since the fund is allocated per child, couples with three children, for instance, would receive vouchers worth £315.
If your children receive free school meals, you are eligible for assistance; households who receive Housing Benefit or council tax support are also eligible.
The vouchers will all be given out by the end of July.
If the council has an email address, vouchers for kids who get free school lunches will be sent there along with further instructions.
Households with children who qualify for local council tax help and/or Housing Benefit will get vouchers by post.
South Ribble
South Ribble Council in Lancashire is handing residents coupons worth £350 that can be used at a variety of stores.
The Local Authority reports that approximately 10,000 residents are qualified for assistance.
Support will also be provided to help customers pay their broadband and phone bills.
Households will also receive energy-efficient heating products, as well as sanitary products, warm clothing, and soap.
The cost of microwaves, mini refrigerators, and slow cookers could also be covered by the helping-hand plan.
Residents will receive vouchers worth up to £300, with a £50 concession for single-person families.
To be eligible, you must be a South Ribble resident who is experiencing financial difficulty, which means you are unable to meet basic needs.
Waverley
Waverley Borough Council in Surrey offers one-time cash grants of up to £550 to assist households in meeting critical expenses.
The payments are intended to cover the cost of food, gas, electricity, or water bills, household appliances like cookers and washing machines, and school uniforms.
You will be entitled if you reside in Waverley and are having difficulty paying for these items or bills.
Anyone who has already applied for the HSF may apply again, but only once within the current window.