Thousands of households to get up to £200 free cash directly in to bank accounts within weeks – are you eligible?

THOUSANDS of households are set to receive up to £200 in free cash direct into their bank accounts within weeks.

The help comes via the latest tranche of Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million.

The money has come from central government which has shared it between councils across England.

These councils then decide who they want to offer help to, and how.

You might be in line for vouchers or you could receive cash direct into your bank account.

Redcar and Cleveland Council, in North Yorkshire, is issuing payments worth up to £200 direct into eligible households' bank accounts.

You will get the help if you receive Council Tax support.

But you might also be entitled to discretionary assistance if you are on a low income and in a credit deficit.

A credit deficit is when your essential outgoings, so bills and living expenses, are more than your income.

If you receive Council Tax support but don't have any children in your home, you'll get a one-off payment worth £50.

Households with a dependant child will get £100.

If you're entitled to discretionary assistance you'll get between £50 to £200, depending on your financial circumstances.

Households applying from now will be paid on March 25. You can apply on the council's website.

If you've already had help from the HSF and receive Council Tax support you don't need to reapply.

But you can get help if you're not entitled to Council Tax support, for example if you're on a low income and can't afford to pay your bills or for food.

Can I get help if I don't live in Redcar and Cleveland?

Yes, you can. The HSF has been shared between councils across England.

But what help you can get depends on where you live.

Some councils have depleted their share of the fund too so you aren't guaranteed to get help.

Local authorities are handing out cash in different ways.

Some are offering out vouchers for energy, food and other bills while others are transferring money direct into people's bank accounts.

Households in Test Valley, Hampshire, can get £125 free cash.

Meanwhile, thousands of residents in Luton are due electronic vouchers worth up to £500 to help pay for food, utility bills and other essentials.

The latest tranche of the Household Support Fund has to be allocated by councils by March 31, so there's not long left to claim help if you're entitled to it.

However, last month the government announced the fund will be extended beyond March this year until March 31, 2024.

You should check with your local council if you are entitled to any help through the newest batch of funding.

If you don't know what council area you fall under, you can find out by entering your postcode into the government's council locator tool online.

What other support is ending in March?

Other government support is ending this month on top of the Household Support Fund.

This includes the Cold Weather payment scheme which closes on March 31.

Under the scheme, you receive £25 for every seven-day period where temperatures are below zero.

You qualify for the payment if you're receiving certain benefits, including:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Plus, the deadline for claiming the Winter Fuel Allowance is also March 31.

You qualify for the payment if you were born on or before September 25, 1956, and you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 19 to 25, 2022.

But there's other criteria involved too. You should check out the government's website for more details.

The Warm Home Discount is also ending this month too - it's a £150 one off payment towards your energy bills paid to eligible households between October and March each year.

There are different ways to qualify for the scheme, but if you live in England and Wales you have to either:

• be receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• be on a low income and have high energy costs