HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of a fast approaching deadline to claim £290 of free cost of living cash.
Cash strapped families can get greater support via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
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The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a pot of cash that local councils give out to households on low income, but it varies based on where you live.
The support package was introduced by the Government in 2021, however it has been extended a number of times.
How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial situation.
Households in Doncaster in need of support have just days to go before the deadline to claim the support ends.
Families in the area can apply for funding up until Friday, August 30 at 5pm.
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
The City of Doncaster Council said thousands of households could be eligible.
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
To claim you must visit the council website.
It is always worth ringing up the council if you have any questions.
If you are thinking of applying you should also be aware that how much you can get depends on a number of factors.
You can read how much different households can claim below:
- 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
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.
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.
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.
Every council across the UK will have received funding for the support package, so if you are concerned about paying for bills or groceries contact your local council and enquire.
You can locate where your local council is by using the Government’s council locator tool.
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.
The latest local authority to dish out help to those who need it, is Enfield Council.
Nearly £3million has been allocated to support the vulnerable in the north London borough amid rising energy bills and cost of living.
The funding was granted on April 1, 2024, and needs to be spent by September 30.
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.