Thousands of hard-up households eligible for £100 free cash to help with costs

THOUSANDS of struggling families could be handed £100 free cash to help cover costs.

The Household Support Fund offers households a lifeline when they may need it most, whether it’s with the food shop, school uniform or paying essential bills.

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In Darlington, County Durham, the Department for Work and Pensions announced the HSF will be extended up to March 31 2025.

The extra funding can be used in the form of food vouchers, for families of a child who receives benefit-related school meals.

They will also be given food vouchers for the school holidays.

Foodbanks across Darlington will see more support too, thanks to the HSF as demand rises.

Eligible residents can also use the uniform exchange scheme which could help with the cost of sending kids back to school.

Meanwhile, £100 will be available for all care leavers.

And, pensioners whose annual income is low enough for them to receive council support, but not eligible for pension credit, could claim hundreds.

Households who do not have enough money to pay for food and fuel should be contacted directly about applying for the HSF.

Stephen Harker, the leader of the council said: “The current government funded Household Support Fund is being delivered effectively, helping those most in need in Darlington and surrounding villages. We hope to support the most vulnerable as best we can.”

Amanda Riley, cabinet member for stronger communities added: “A programme aimed at maximising household incomes is also included in this round of Household Support Fund.

“We will identify residents who may qualify for benefits and contact them by letter. If you or a family member or friend receive a letter, please don’t ignore it, you/they could be owed money. We urge you to check to see if you should claim.”

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Those who are eligible to receive the HSF help with have to meet the following criteria.

• Be a resident of the Darlington Borough Council area
• Liable to pay housing costs i.e. rent or mortgage or registered as homeless with Darlington Borough Council
• Your household has not already received an award in this round
• You are a low-income household
• You are in financial hardship and acutely affected by the cost of living crisis or are in significant debt of £5,000 or over
• You do not have any savings

HOW TO APPLY

Applications can be made online, accessed through the citizens advice website, or Darlington Borough Council’s website.

Those who think they are eligible will have to fill out the HSF application form.

The information will be shared with Darlington Borough Council.

Applicants may be contacted by Citizens Advice Darlington Redcar and Cleveland if more details are required.

What is the Household Support Fund?

Households in need can claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.

The funding is supplied from a £421million pot by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.

Councils up and down the country get a portion of the cash to allocate to vulnerable households.

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.

The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.