Thousands of families could get up to £300 FREE cash to help with essentials – check if you can get it
STRUGGLING families could get as much as £300 free to help with the essentials as the cost of living continues to bite.
The money is available through the government's Household Support Fund, which provides help to vulnerable households in most need of help amid the cost of living crisis.
The scheme, which has a £500million pot of money, is due to end on September 30, 2022.
It was originally intended to run for six months, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a six-month extension to the deadline in his Spring Statement and has now upped the pot to £1.5billion.
Households are being urged to apply for help as soon as possible, as local councils may have to stop dishing out help sooner if they use up their pot of cash.
It comes as inflation spiked to 9 per cent in April in a bitter blow to families facing the cost-of-living crisis, and the energy regulator has warned that bills will reach £2,800 by October.
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Each council determines how to use its budget to help local residents, with many previously dishing out supermarket and fuel vouchers or one-off cash payments.
Not all residents can receive the support due to eligibility requirements, so it's best to check your local council's website.
Some councils are giving out help automatically, while in other areas you'll need to apply.
Residents in Blackpool can get as much as £300, depending on their circumstances.
Who qualifies?
To apply to the Household Support Fund in Blackpool applicants must be:
- Over the age of 16 and responsible for paying household utility bills
- A Blackpool Council resident
- Have insufficient resources to meet rising living costs
There is no requirement to be in receipt of DWP benefits to apply for help.
How much money can I get and what can it be used for?
Blackpool council is aiming to help residents who are struggling to afford household energy costs.
An award of £200 cash will be made to qualifying households of one or two people (including children).
For example, Torbay Council is giving eligible cash-strapped residents a maximum of £50 towards food, and where necessary, another £50 towards energy bills.
Meanwhile, in Kensington and Chelsea residents can grab up to £150 to help cover household bills, food and clothing.
If you aren’t eligible but are still struggling to afford essentials, you may be able to get cash relief elsewhere. British Gas customers can apply for a £750 grant to help with energy bills.
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Other households are able to knock 50% off their water bills depending on where they live, like residents in Essex and Suffolk.
The Sun also provides in-depth advice on how to reduce different essential payments if you’re struggling.
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