BILL HELP
Cost of living payment worth up to £500 for thousands of ‘most vulnerable’ households – can you get the help?
It's part of a multi-million pound funding pot to help struggling families
A COST of living payment worth up to £500 for "the most vulnerable"; is to be paid to thousands of households - we reveal the details.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.
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The latest round of funding is worth £421million to councils in England.
The fund is shared between local councils across the country who then distribute it as they see fit.
But because each region has been allocated a different share of the fund, what you can get depends on where you live.
If have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, you will likely qualify for help.
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Households in Herefordshire can get up to £500 depending on their circumstances and level of need.
The Council said it is available for "the most vulnerable households".
For example, individuals who have high energy bills due to using medical equipment can get a one-off payment of up to £250.
Funding is also available to help households with someone suffering from long-term respiratory conditions.
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They can get help if they are experiencing financial difficulties and living in cold homes.
Parents may also be able to get a one-off emergency payment voucher of £75.
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If Herefordshire Council is your local authority, you can apply if you are:
- A Herefordshire resident and over 16 years old
- A member of the armed forces who can demonstrate a strong connection to Herefordshire
- A legal resident in the UK, not under immigration control
- A person or household experiencing financial hardship that is able to demonstrate the need for emergency support with essential living costs that cannot be met by other sources
All applicants must make an application by phone on 01432 383838, or by completing an online application form on the council's website.
More information on specific conditions for each element of the scheme is available at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/household-support-grant.
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 £500million 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.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
Can I get help if I don't live in Herefordshire?
Yes, but the help available to you will depend on where you live.
Each council is distributing their share of the HSF differently.
However, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or are on benefits, you will likely qualify for help.
The HSF was recently extended in the Government's Spring Budget until September and some councils have already opened for applications.
For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.
Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.
You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.
How do you apply?
To get the help, you'll need to check with your council - as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
To find your local council, use the
Once you've found your council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding on its website.
Each council will have a different application process - so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.
That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary - it's best to check with your local council for more details.
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Some councils won't require you to apply for the help and they'll contact you about it instead if you qualify.
If there's no information on your council's website, then its best to ring them up and ask for more information.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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