Exact date this month that thousands of households must apply for £290 free cash by – check if you’re eligible
THOUSANDS of households have just weeks to apply for a £290 cost of living payment.
Cash strapped families can get access to the money through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
The aid was set up in 2021, however it has been extended by the UK government a number of times.
How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial circumstances.
The pot of cash is handed out by local councils and it varies from area to area.
In Doncaster, thousands of residents could be eligible for a £290 cash grant.
The City of Doncaster Council said the funding will be used to provide help to working-age and pensioner households in the city who receive any of the following benefits:
- Housing benefit
- Local council tax reduction
- Universal Credit which includes the housing element
- Means-tested free school meals
But those who want to apply have just weeks before the deadline closes.
The last day you can apply is Friday, August 30, at 5pm, leaving less than a month to get your submissions in.
To claim Household Support Fund payment, visit www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/council-tax-benefits/household-support-fund.
You can also ring your local council if you have any questions about how to apply.
Again, it is worth noting that how much you will get varies on your circumstances.
Read the list here to see the amount you could be eligible for:
- Single people with no dependent children will receive a single payment of £50
- Couples with no dependent children will receive a single payment of £70
- Households with one dependent child will receive a total of £110 from the scheme, this will be split into two payments of £55 each
- Households with two dependent children will receive a total of £170 from the scheme, this will be split into two payments of £85 each
- Households with three dependent children will receive a total of £230 from the scheme, this will be split into two payments of £115 each
- Households with four or more dependent children will receive a total of £290 from the scheme, this will be split into two payments of £145 each
If you have already received the HSF, you will get the money paid into your account automatically.
You only need to contact the council if your bank account has changed since your previous award.
To do this, email householdsupportfund@doncaster.gov.uk and provide your name, National Insurance number, address, new bank sort code, account number, and the name of the account holder.
Payment to households that include dependent children will be made in two separate instalments.
A dependent child is a child in receipt of child benefit.
Applications will be processed within seven days of receipt, and payment for successful applications will be sent within two weeks of the decision being made.
What if I don’t live in Doncaster?
It is not only households in Doncaster which get access to the fund.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is worth £421million to local authorities across the country.
The Sun recently shared a guide and interactive map which shows how much you can claim in your area.
Check it out by clicking the link here.
Some examples of what different areas are offering include in Plymouth, where the council said eligible residents can receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers.
This includes £240 in supermarket vouchers for either Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi, or Iceland, and £200 in energy vouchers.
It also includes an essential item of household furniture or white goods or £300 of clothing vouchers.
Meanwhile, in Blackpool, households with one or two people – including children – will see £200 paid directly to their energy provider.
Those with three or more will get £300 paid towards their energy costs.
How to know if you qualify?
Financial support available to struggling households varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local council offers to ensure you get all the support you need.
The benefits you already receive will not be impacted by applying for the HSF.
And, you do not necessarily need to receive benefits in the first place to get vouchers or funds from the HSF.
How do I apply?
To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application process.
If there’s no information on your council’s website, then it’s best to ring them up and ask for more information.