Exact date thousands can apply for cost of living vouchers worth £300 within weeks – are you eligible?
THOUSANDS of struggling households across Britain have just weeks to go before they can apply for vouchers worth up to £300 to help amid the cost of living crisis.
Cash strapped families can access greater financial support via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a pot of cash that local councils give out to households on low income, but it varies based on where you live.
The support package was introduced by the Government in 2021, however it has been extended a number of times.
How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial circumstances.
Leicestershire County Council is offering hard pressed families a financial award of up to £300.
Applicants can apply from July 1st through the council’s website.
However, it is important to remember that if you have already received support through the HSF this year, you are going to have to wait until September to reapply.
If you qualify, the fund will be paid in the form of vouchers to support gas, electricity and food.
To use the cash to help with gas, electricity or water, you will have to claim a Post Office payout voucher, that can be redeemed for cash.
If you receive an e-voucher for food, you will need to go online to convert this into a gift card which is available to use at the following eight supermarkets.
- Aldi
- Iceland
- Morrisons
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Asda
- Company Shop Group
- Farmfoods
You do not have to live in Leicestershire to gain access to the Housing Support Fund.
Every council across the UK will have received funding for the support package, so if you are concerned about paying for bills or groceries contact your local council and enquire.
You can locate where your local council is by using the Government’s council locator tool.
What other support is available?
As the fund is distributed by local councils, the amount varies from place to place.
It has also been confirmed that households in Warwickshire can apply for a £75 voucher.
The one-off payment can be put towards immediate needs and help those who are finding it hard to afford energy and water costs.
Warwickshire County Council said families and households in the area can apply whether they use prepayment metres, pay by direct debit or on receipt of a gas, electricity or water bill.
Residents have also been invited to contact the Local Welfare Scheme team for a confidential discussion about their situation.
All applications for the payment must be made by July 5 2024.
Meanwhile, Stockport County Council also said it was relaunching its Family Support Scheme, as part of the HSF this summer.
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 Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
The Family Support Voucher scheme is open to eligible families, which include those with children receiving Free School Meals, early years and Post-16 equivalent, and those with children in receipt of local council tax support or housing benefit.
Eligible families will receive a £105 voucher per child, to help alleviate financial strain.
All families in the area who think they may be eligible are encouraged to set up an online account to ensure that their details are up to date here.
All vouchers in Stockport will be distributed in late July.
How to know if you qualify?
Financial support available to struggling households varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local council offers to ensure you get all the support you need.
The benefits you already receive will not be impacted by applying for the HSF.
And, you do not necessarily need to receive benefits in the first place to get vouchers or funds from the HSF.
How do I apply?
To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application process.
If there’s no information on your council’s website, then it’s best to ring them up and ask for more information.
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