Full list of extra money help coming to millions this month worth up to £1,993 – see if you qualify for free cash
HARD-UP households should make note of all the free cash coming their way this month and it’s worth up to £1,993.
If you’re struggling with the cost of living, there is help available.
Prices across all aspects of life are sky high so make sure to make use of free cash if you’re eligible.
Remember, if you aren’t sure if you qualify for extra support it’s always worth checking.
Here’s everything you should look out for this month:
Cost of Living payment – £301
The £900 cost of living payment is designed to help struggling households with essential costs, such as energy and food.
The payment, which is tax-free, has been split into three instalments worth £301, £300 and £299.
The first installment of the £900 cost of living payment will be hitting bank accounts any day now if it hasn’t already.
Some 4.8million have already received the cash since April 25 when payments began.
But if you’ve not yet received the cash yet – payments will continue to be made up to Wednesday, May 17.
While payments to those receiving tax credits also began on May 2.
Those receiving tax credits should look out for a specific code in their statement showing it’s the cost of living payment – “HMRC COLS”.
If you think you may qualify for pension credit then you should check now as this could help you get the £301 payment.
You have until just May 19 to apply for pension credit and then qualify for the first installment.
Pensioners can check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using an online pension credit calculator.
Household Support Fund – £1,000
Thousands of households can get free cash from their local council.
The cash support comes through the Household Support Fund which is currently worth £842million.
The scheme is there to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
But some residents will be able to get the cash this month – so make sure you check what your local council is offering.
For example, those living in Torridge could get up to £1,000.
Those eligible can apply now and the money will be paid within 14 working days.
If you don’t live in Torridge, make sure you check what your council is offering – some haven’t opened the next round of funding just yet/
Delayed Universal Credit payments – £292.11
Some households on Universal Credit did not get the increased rate last month.
The benefit increased in line with September’s inflation, going from £265.31 to £292.11.
Many complained on social media to explain that their payment rates haven’t changed.
Anna Stevenson, benefits expert at Turn2us said: “For Universal Credit, the new rates don’t come into effect until the first assessment period which starts on or after April 10.
“That means the earliest people will see the new rates is in payments from May 17.
“But for some people, it could take until June 16 to get their first payment on the new amounts.”
For example, if a claimant’s assessment period started on March 26, it would run until April 25, with a new assessment period beginning on April 26.
As Universal Credit is paid a week after the date of each assessment period meaning the claimants would receive their payment on May 2.
However, because the claimant’s March to April assessment period started before April 10, the new rates will not take effect until the after next assessment period between April 26 and May 25 for payment on June 1.
Prepayment meter help – £400
If you don’t have a contract with your energy supplier then you can apply for a one-off £400 payment to go towards bills.
This is if you did not get the Energy Bill Support Scheme discount automatically.
You’ll qualify if you live in a park home, houseboat or care home for example.
Bear in mind this payment won’t come in in May, but you must apply by June 1.
So get your application this month and it’ll be a nice discount in a few months time.
You can apply online via the gov.uk website.
What other help is coming this year?
Energy supplier grants
Many energy suppliers have their own grants going to help cash-tight customers.
Some of them are actually open to non-customers, like the British Gas Energy Support fund which offers any applicant up to £1,500 in support.
You’ll still need to meet a list of criteria though, which we covered in our article.
British Gas, E.ON, Octopus and Ovo all offer grants worth hundreds of pounds.
If you don’t know who your supplier is, you can find out using the Ofgem supplier search tool on its website.
You can also just phone up and ask your supplier what help is available – they’ll be able to offer options or point you in the direction of someone else who can help.
More cost of living payments
The second and third cost of living payments will be made later this year.
The second one, which will be £300 will be paid in the Autumn.
And the third of £299 will be paid in spring next year.
We don’t have the exact dates but will update this piece once we know more.
Prepayment meter help
Energy firms will be stopped from charging customers extra fees if they use pay-as-you-go meters — saving money for four million families.
It comes after a national outcry over the bully-boy tactics of companies using debt collectors to force people to have the rip-off meters installed.
From July 1, the “prepayment penalty” will end, cutting bills for millions of people.
This will save households an average of £45 a year on their energy bills.
Fuel vouchers
If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it’s offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council – you can find yours via gov.uk by searching your postcode.
The voucher should help you cover around two weeks’ worth of electricity use.
Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so ask your supplier directly.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk