9 ways to earn up to £1,500 if you're struggling as the cost of living ends

MILLIONS of households have received hundreds of pounds in living expenses payments, but the help is now coming to an end.

Without the support, many struggling families could worry about how they will make ends meet in the future.

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The first tranche of support of £900, worth £301, was paid out to more than eight million households in April and May last year.

The second installment, £300, was paid from October 31 to November 19.

Additionally, the final payment of £299 hit bank accounts earlier this month and will be paid out until February 22.

It follows the £650 living costs payment paid to more than eight million people in 2022.

But there's no need to worry as there is a whole range of support or further support on offer that you may be able to access if you are struggling financially.

If you are found to be entitled to all of the support below, you will receive £3,695.05 to help you with your bills.

Domestic Support Fund – up to £450

The government's Household Support Fund (HSF) program is available through councils across the country.

But time is running out for people to make a claim as the fund will close on March 31.

Municipalities distribute the money to households in need to help them with the rising costs of bills and food.

Each municipality receives a different share of the funding, depending on the size of the catchment area, population and need.

The vouchers or grants offered vary by location, so you should check what you can get and how your council will pay you.

The fund is often aimed at people who already have a low income and need help.

But you don't always have to be on benefits or Universal Credit to qualify for the money.

There are also some areas that provide assistance to households that are not entitled to government support.

The Sun recently compiled a list of areas where you can get up to £450 in support.

Switching bonus – up to £200

Banks and building societies regularly offer switching offers to attract new customers, but these are usually only valid for a limited time.

In most cases, the process can be carried out via the Payment Account Switching Service (CASS).

Natwest is currently giving away £200 to customers to transfer their current account.

Your checking account is a bank account where you can store and withdraw money. Most people use these for everyday transactions.

All customers need to do is use the CASS, deposit £1,250 into the NatWest account and log into the mobile app within 60 days of switching accounts.

Lloyds' is also offering a switching incentive for new customers who want to open an account, but you'll need to be quick.

The bank is offering existing and new customers from another bank account £175 if they switch to a Club Lloyds account between now and March 28.

Winter fuel payment – up to £300

Thousands of pensioners eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will receive a top-up of up to £300 from the Government this year.

The winter fuel payment is made to households where someone was born before a certain date.

This year it is being made for every household with someone born before September 25, 1957.

But on top of the regular payment, the government will top it up with a £150 or £300 pensioner living expenses payment, meaning you could receive up to £600 in total.

In most cases you do not need to apply and payment will be made automatically from November.

If you have not previously received a winter fuel payment, you only need to make a claim if one of the following applies:

• You will not receive any benefits or AOW
• The only benefit you will get is Scottish Government Adult Disability Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Credit, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
• You live in Switzerland or an EEA country

If you have had a winter fuel payment before, you only need to claim it if since your last payment you have:

• Your state pension postponed
• Moved to Switzerland or an EEA country

If you still want to submit a claim, you can do so by telephone or by post. The deadline to claim the winter fuel payment for this winter is March 31, 2024.

Cold weather payment – £25 per week

Cold weather payments are being made to struggling households to help cover the costs of higher energy bills during cold spells.

Eligible households will receive £25 for each seven-day period in which temperatures fall below zero degrees.

The money is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The scheme runs from November 1 to March 31, but you do not need to apply and will receive benefits automatically if you qualify.

To qualify for a winter fuel payment you must receive one of the following benefits:

But you may also need to meet other criteria, including:

• If you are disabled or receive a pension premium
• Having a child who is disabled
• Receiving a child tax credit that includes a disability or a serious element of disability
• Have a premium for serious or increased disability
• Receiving a limited work capacity
• If you have a child under the age of five living with you

You can read more about its suitability on the government website.

Winter heating payment – £55.05

The Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Cold Weather Payment for households in Scotland.

Entitlement to the £55.05 payment is the same as the cold weather payment and you must receive one of the eligible benefits between November 6 and 12.

The only difference is that the money is paid to you regardless of whether the temperature drops below zero degrees.

Payments will likely be made this month and into March.

Warm House Discount – £150

Millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland can deduct £150 from their energy bills through the warm home discount.

This winter, the money will be debited from your account between October 16 and March 2024.

To qualify, you must have one or more of the following benefits:

Eligible households in England and Wales do not need to apply for the discount, although some in Scotland do.

Scottish residents should contact their energy supplier directly to see if they qualify for the rebate.

In the meantime, a number of companies offer subsidies to customers in difficulty to cover the cost of energy bills, including British Gas, EDF and E.ON.

Contact your provider to see what help they can offer you.

Help with energy bills – up to £1,500

A huge fund has been reopened to provide help to anyone struggling to pay their energy bills.

It comes from the British Gas Energy Trust, but you don't have to be a customer.

The scheme reopened on December 4 and is expected to close by the end of March 2024.

You can write off energy debts of up to £1,500, but you will also need to seek debt advice, for example from Stepchange or Citizen's Advice.

Find out more about the scheme and how to apply, as well as what other suppliers have to offer.

Cash rental – up to £965

A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is money from your council to help you if you are struggling to pay the rent.

Anyone claiming housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit may be eligible.

But what you are entitled to depends on where you live, as each local authority determines how much it pays out.

The Sun previously found that the average DHP was £965, based on Freedom of Information requests sent to 30 of the largest councils.

But the maximum amount you could get was worth a total of £32,000.

We've rounded up everything you need to know about who can get the money and how to make a claim.

Fuel vouchers – worth £50

If you use a prepayment meter you may be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.

It comes through the Fuel Bank Foundation charity and is offered through a range of organizations such as food banks and Citizens Advice.

The best place to look for somewhere to get a fuel voucher is to ask your local council.

The voucher can cover approximately two weeks of electricity consumption.

Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so please check with your supplier directly.

Meanwhile, a number of benefits, including Universal Credit, will be paid out early for some households this month – we'll announce which ones.

In addition, millions of households across the country can claim a variety of cold weather payments to help with heating costs this winter.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

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