Thousands of household to get £100s worth of household appliances and energy bill help – are you eligible? --[Reported by Umva mag]

THOUSANDS of households across the UK can now claim hundreds of pounds worth of free cash, household appliances, and help with energy bills under the extended Household Support Fund.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that the scheme will continue to run from April 1, 2024, through to March 31, 2025, offering assistance to those struggling with the Cost of Living.

The extension of this grant offers a helping hand to vulnerable households struggling to pay for necessities like energy, water, and essential household items.

HOW IT WORKS

Each local council receives a portion of the £421million fund, which is then distributed to residents based on need.

Some councils may provide direct cash payments, while others issue vouchers to help cover essentials like energy or food.

How the money is distributed will vary, so it’s important to check with your local authority.

For example, Birmingham City Council has announced £200 payments to help residents with winter costs.

Other councils, like Coventry, have offered community supermarket schemes, where households can pay £5 a week and get a basket of food worth up to £25.

However, there are changes to the scheme this time around.

Some councils have introduced monthly caps on funding, meaning once the allocated amount for the month is spent, applications are paused until the following month.

This is to ensure that everyone has a chance to receive support, but it does mean you should apply as soon as possible.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE?

The Household Support Fund is designed to help households in financial difficulty, particularly those on low incomes or those who don’t qualify for other forms of government assistance.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet due to rising living costs, you could be eligible for support.

You’ll likely need to prove your financial hardship when applying.

This can include showing evidence of your income, benefits, or other forms of support you’re currently receiving.

For example, if you’re receiving Universal Credit or a council tax reduction, you could qualify.

But even if you’re not on benefits, you may still be able to get help if you can demonstrate financial hardship.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the Household Support Fund are handled by your local council, and the process can vary depending on where you live.

Most councils offer online application forms, but if you need help completing an application, you can call your council’s customer service centre for assistance.

To apply, you’ll need to provide details such as your National Insurance number and may need to submit bank statements or benefit evidence.

If you’re applying for a family member or someone else, there’s also an option to upload supporting documents like benefit letters or pay slips to prove eligibility.

Some councils, such as Haringey, are issuing automatic payments to eligible residents, while others require residents to apply directly.

If you’re unsure of the process in your area, it’s best to check your local council’s website.

SUPPORT AVAILABLE

The support available through the Household Support Fund can vary depending on where you live, but most councils offer help with energy bills, food support, and household essentials.

Single people or couples without children can receive up to £120, while families may be eligible for £160.

Households can also get help with essential items like fridges, cookers, and bedding if there’s an exceptional need, such as a medical condition or a risk to a child’s wellbeing.

But it’s not just energy and food that the fund can help with.

If you need support with heating repairs, lighting repairs, or even housing costs in an emergency, the Household Support Fund may be able to help, as long as other housing schemes have been exhausted.

To find out what support is available in your area, you can use the government’s local authority checker on the gov.uk website.

Simply enter your postcode, and you’ll be directed to your council’s website, where you can find more details about the fund.

It’s worth noting that some councils are experiencing high demand for the scheme, so you may face delays in receiving your award.

For instance, vouchers for fuel support are currently taking between 5-10 working days to be issued, while applications for household appliances can take 4-6 weeks.

If you’re struggling and think you could benefit from this scheme, it’s a good idea to apply early, as councils may pause applications once the allocated monthly funds are exhausted.

So, if you’re finding it tough to make ends meet, don’t miss out on this lifeline.

Apply through your local council today and see what help you can get to ease the burden of rising living costs this winter.

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