Thousands of households need to apply by TOMORROW to get free help – check if you could benefit --[Reported by Umva mag]

THOUSANDS of households have just one day left to apply for free cost of living cash worth £50. Cash-strapped families in the Spelthorne area can get access to the money through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). The Household Support Fund helps low-income Brits pay their way with free cash and vouchersGetty The aid was set up in 2021, however it has been extended by the UK Government a number of times since then. 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. Spelthorne Council in Surrey is handing out one-off payments worth £50 to thousands of households in need. A maximum of one payment will be made per household and any payments are being made direct into bank accounts. You will qualify for the £50 cash if you live in the Spelthorne area and receive one of the following benefits: Universal Credit Working Tax Credit Job Seekers Allowance Income Support Employment Support Allowance (Income related) Pension Credit Those who applied to previous rounds of the HSF should have received the £50 into their bank accounts automatically in July. However, those eligible who haven’t previously received help have to apply via the council’s website by the end of September 23. This leaves just one day to go before they can no longer apply for the free cash. Can I get help if I don’t live in Spelthorne? 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 Cheshire East. The council is now offering struggling families £500 grants to fight the cost of living. It said the aim is to provide crisis support to financially vulnerable households most in need. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data. You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. The fund will also be available to support those who are struggling to afford household basics including food, energy, wider essentials, and exceptional costs. Vouchers are available for £60 per adult, £100 per couple and then £20 per child (which can be applied for twice). In addition to this, families can access wider essential support which can range from £500 and upwards. How to know if you qualify? The financial support available for struggling households varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local authority 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.

Sep 22, 2024 - 07:33

Thousands of households need to apply by TOMORROW to get free help – check if you could benefit --[Reported by Umva mag]

THOUSANDS of households have just one day left to apply for free cost of living cash worth £50.

Cash-strapped families in the Spelthorne area can get access to the money through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).

a wallet full of british money including 5 10 and 20 pounds — The Household Support Fund helps low-income Brits pay their way with free cash and vouchers

The aid was set up in 2021, however it has been extended by the UK Government a number of times since then.

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.

Spelthorne Council in Surrey is handing out one-off payments worth £50 to thousands of households in need.

A maximum of one payment will be made per household and any payments are being made direct into bank accounts.

You will qualify for the £50 cash if you live in the Spelthorne area and receive one of the following benefits:

Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
Job Seekers Allowance
Income Support
Employment Support Allowance (Income related)
Pension Credit

Those who applied to previous rounds of the HSF should have received the £50 into their bank accounts automatically in July.

However, those eligible who haven’t previously received help have to apply via the council’s website by the end of September 23.

This leaves just one day to go before they can no longer apply for the free cash.

Can I get help if I don’t live in Spelthorne?

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 Cheshire East.

The council is now offering struggling families £500 grants to fight the cost of living.

It said the aim is to provide crisis support to financially vulnerable households most in need.

Are you missing out on benefits?

YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to

Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.

Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.

MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.

You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.

Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.

The fund will also be available to support those who are struggling to afford household basics including food, energy, wider essentials, and exceptional costs.

Vouchers are available for £60 per adult, £100 per couple and then £20 per child (which can be applied for twice).

In addition to this, families can access wider essential support which can range from £500 and upwards.

How to know if you qualify?

The financial support available for struggling households varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local authority 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.

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