Thousands of households eligible for lump sum cost of living cash worth £60 – can you claim?
THOUSANDS of households could be eligible for a lump sum cost of living payment worth £60.
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.
The national scheme was renewed for the fifth time in April 2024, and more and more councils are beginning to share their local scheme’s criteria.
For example, thousands of residents in Wolverhampton could be eligible for a lump sum £60 cash payment.
The funding can be used to help with the cost of food, gas and electricity and water.
For households that need help with fuel costs, the following amounts could be awarded:
- Single adult: £40.00
- Couple: £60.00
- Addition for each child in household: £15.00
A family of four, for example, could get up to £90 in help.
The following amounts will be given to households we need help with the cost of food:
- Single adult: £25.00
- Couple: £50.00
- Addition for each child in household: £15.00
There is no specific eligibility criteria, but you will need to provide the following evidence to support your application:
- You will need your Council Tax reference number.
- A recent copy of a bank statement for the bank details showing household bills coming out and clearly showing your name, address, account number and sort code.
You can apply on the council’s website and applications will be reviewed within seven to ten working days.
You can find details of your local council on gov.uk/find-local-council.
Of course, you must live in the boundaries of Wolverhampton Council and be over the age of 16.
A spokesperson for the City of Wolverhampton Council said: “‘We are committed to helping households alleviate the pressures of the cost of living and supporting as many people as possible within in our city. “
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 £500million 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.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
What if I don’t live in Wolverhampton?
To get the 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 will have a different application process – so 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 won’t require you to apply for the help and they’ll contact you about it instead if you qualify.
If there’s no information on your council’s website, then it’s best to ring them up 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.
Those living in Falkirk in receipt of a council tax reduction, housing benefit, Universal Credit, income support, jobseekers allowance or pension credit can apply for up to £470 in cash support.
Rutland County Council will provide one payment of £200 to care leavers this month.
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