Hard-up households could get up to £500 one-off payments direct to bank accounts – how to claim

HUNDREDS of households under the cosh could receive up to £500 in one-off payments that go directly into their bank account.

The Ribble Valley Borough Council household support fund has now been extended until September 2024 - here's how you can claim the cash.

Eligible households who are struggling financially and have a combined household income of less than £50,000 per year can apply for a food voucher using a link on the council website.

The following voucher amounts can be applied for:

• £200 for single households
• £300 for households with two or more adults residing
• £500 for households with children (household with a child is a household containing any person who will be under the age of 19 at the time of award or, a person aged 19 or over in respect of whom a child-related benefit (for example, Child Benefit) is paid or FSMs are provided.

The applications opened on 24 June 2024 and will run whilst sufficient funding is available.

Only one application per household is permitted as funding is extremely limited.

On 6 March 2024, in the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Household Support Fund would be extended for a further six months, from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024, with a further £421m of funding.

The fund is distributed to Unitary and County Councils.

The Department for Work and Pensions has recently confirmed that Lancashire County Council will be given £9.6 million to support those suffering most from rising living costs.

Lancashire County Council will give a proportion of this funding to District Councils.

They have confirmed that Ribble Valley will receive £116,379.

The Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021, in order to support those most in need during winter.

The first phase of the scheme ended on March 31 2022 and there have subsequently been three further rounds of the Fund.

The Government advises visiting your local council's website to find what support is available in your area.

It comes as the exact date thousands of households can apply for cost-of-living vouchers worth £300 has been revealed - and it's within days.

Brits have been urged to check if they're eligible for the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The HSF offers help to struggling households based on financial circumstances and what benefits are already received.

It's been extended several times since it was introduced by the Government in 2021.

Funding is given to local councils to distribute, so the support available varies across the country.

What you can get depends on where you live but the money could be paid out as a direct cash transfer or shopping vouchers.