Warning as hundreds of households have just days left to claim £250 cash or miss out --[Reported by Umva mag]

A WARNING has been issued as hundreds of households have just days left to claim £250 cash or miss out for good. The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government pot worth £421million earmarked for those struggling to afford food and bills. As of 2024, the HSF is worth £421 million which is paid out by local authorities It is paid out by local councils who give to families in need of extra financial help. Through the scheme, households in Canterbury can claim up to £250 but be warned, the deadline closes on September 20 – just three days from now. There are three different areas of support households can get – but you can only apply for one from the list: Help with food costs – £250 Help with energy costs – £250 Other essentials like period products, clothes and broadband – £250 If you are wondering whether you are eligible to claim the cash, don’t worry, we have compiled an exemplary criteria list for you. You must be aged 16 or over. Live in the Canterbury area (including students). Have a total household income of £40,000 or less – including money from employment or benefits No more than £1,000 in savings and no access to other financial to support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also announced the Household Support Fund (HSF) will be extended into next year. What if I don’t live in Canterbury? The Household Support Fund is available through councils across England. Each local council offers the HSF but eligibility criteria may differ from place to place. The scheme has been refreshed five times now, so some councils have already dished out all the cash. It’s up to each council as to how they distribute the pot of money, provided it is in alignment with the Government’s guidance. This is why the amount of cash available differs depending on which local council you are a part of. For example, Tower Hamlets Council handed out payments worth £100. While Plymouth Council provided up to £750. To find your local council, head to GOV.UK and click find your local council. There, you can enter your postcode and a list of councils and their services should appear. You must check the individual council’s criteria to ensure that you meet the requirements to be handed the cash. Often, councils offer cash to residents on selected benefits or below a household income threshold. It’s always useful to check for any other schemes your local council offers, as you may be entitled to help beyond the HSF. Being on benefits already won’t affect your HSF application. How to apply Check how to apply with your council as processes also differ. Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. If there’s no information on your council’s website, ring up and ask for more information. More support with the cost of living There are other ways to receive financial support aside from the HSF. You must make sure you are already getting all the benefits you are entitled to. Millions of people miss out on help they could be claiming. You can use a benefit tool such as turn2us to work out what you are due. Then apply for benefits through the Government’s website. Many of these benefits unlock further freebies or perks. For example, those on Universal Credit can get help covering the cost of childcare, while people claiming Pension Credit can get a free TV licence. If energy bills are a specific problem, you may be able to get grants to cover debts. A number of energy firms offer grants to struggling customers, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas. If paying energy bills is a concern for you, it’s always best to speak to your supplier to see how they help. 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 £421million 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. Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024

Sep 19, 2024 - 18:24

Warning as hundreds of households have just days left to claim £250 cash or miss out --[Reported by Umva mag]

A WARNING has been issued as hundreds of households have just days left to claim £250 cash or miss out for good.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government pot worth £421million earmarked for those struggling to afford food and bills.

Young woman in a beige sweater sitting at the table and going through paperwork. She is holding unpaid bills — As of 2024, the HSF is worth £421 million which is paid out by local authorities

It is paid out by local councils who give to families in need of extra financial help.

Through the scheme, households in Canterbury can claim up to £250 but be warned, the deadline closes on September 20 – just three days from now.

There are three different areas of support households can get – but you can only apply for one from the list:

Help with food costs – £250
Help with energy costs – £250
Other essentials like period products, clothes and broadband – £250

If you are wondering whether you are eligible to claim the cash, don’t worry, we have compiled an exemplary criteria list for you.

You must be aged 16 or over.
Live in the Canterbury area (including students).
Have a total household income of £40,000 or less – including money from employment or benefits
No more than £1,000 in savings and no access to other financial to support.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also announced the Household Support Fund (HSF) will be extended into next year.

What if I don’t live in Canterbury?

The Household Support Fund is available through councils across England.

Each local council offers the HSF but eligibility criteria may differ from place to place.

The scheme has been refreshed five times now, so some councils have already dished out all the cash.

It’s up to each council as to how they distribute the pot of money, provided it is in alignment with the Government’s guidance.

This is why the amount of cash available differs depending on which local council you are a part of.

For example, Tower Hamlets Council handed out payments worth £100.

While Plymouth Council provided up to £750.

To find your local council, head to GOV.UK and click find your local council.

There, you can enter your postcode and a list of councils and their services should appear.

You must check the individual council’s criteria to ensure that you meet the requirements to be handed the cash.

Often, councils offer cash to residents on selected benefits or below a household income threshold.

It’s always useful to check for any other schemes your local council offers, as you may be entitled to help beyond the HSF.

Being on benefits already won’t affect your HSF application.

How to apply

Check how to apply with your council as processes also differ.

Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website.

If there’s no information on your council’s website, ring up and ask for more information.

More support with the cost of living

There are other ways to receive financial support aside from the HSF.

You must make sure you are already getting all the benefits you are entitled to.

Millions of people miss out on help they could be claiming.

You can use a benefit tool such as turn2us to work out what you are due.

Then apply for benefits through the Government’s website.

Many of these benefits unlock further freebies or perks.

For example, those on Universal Credit can get help covering the cost of childcare, while people claiming Pension Credit can get a free TV licence.

If energy bills are a specific problem, you may be able to get grants to cover debts.

A number of energy firms offer grants to struggling customers, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas.

If paying energy bills is a concern for you, it’s always best to speak to your supplier to see how they help.

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 £421million 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.

Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.