Five free cash schemes closing in just a few days – take action to get up to £320
HOUSEHOLDS are starting to run out of time to apply for simple cash schemes before closing.
The extra help, financed by the government's Household Support Fund, is distributed by municipalities and officially ends on March 31.
However, several municipalities have set deadlines for this, so it is important to receive your application on time, otherwise you risk missing out.
How much you can get depends on where you live and your individual circumstances.
You will need to contact your local council to see what is offered and how to apply.
Here we round up the municipalities that have set deadlines for February and March.
Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth residents may be able to receive support from their local council for essential costs such as food and energy bills.
The municipality uses its share of the Household Support Fund to finance its Exceptional Hardship scheme.
The scheme provides support to households that are in serious financial difficulties and cannot afford basic necessities.
This is a one-off payment and registrations open on February 26th and will remain open until March 15th.
The amount of funding is limited, so residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
The council is also providing supermarket vouchers worth £150 to families with children who are entitled to free school meals.
You can apply for vouchers if the following applies to you:
- Living in Portsmouth City Council (PO1-PO6)
- Do you receive child benefit for a child aged 0 to 19 years, or are you at least 20 weeks pregnant?
- Did not receive an £80 voucher from a school for this child between November 2023 and January 2024;
- Have a total earned and unearned income (excluding benefits and tax credits) from the household of less than £1,500 in the last month (or £1,385 in the last four weeks if you pay weekly).
If you are unable to complete an online application or upload proof of your circumstances online, you can make a telephone application by calling the council's Home Support Fund helpline on 023 9268 8010.
You must submit your application by March 15, although the application may close earlier due to limited funding.
What is the Domestic Support Fund?
THE Household Support Fund is a government-funded pot of money given to councils to support people struggling with essential costs.
Councils across the country were given a share of the £842 million funding available to hand out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the spring budget and a third time in November to help people on the lowest incomes cope with the rising cost of living.
The DWP has confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme until March 31, 2024.
The support available varies, but some residents may receive free cash or vouchers to pay for essentials such as utility bills or groceries.
You do not need to have benefits to qualify for this fund, but this will not affect the benefits you receive.
Contact your local council to find out what support is available and what the eligibility criteria are.
Kent County Council
Kent County Council is also inviting residents to apply for additional support through the Household Support Fund allocation.
If your application is successful, you will receive one prepaid card per eligible household that you can use for energy costs.
Applications must be submitted by February 29, but allocations will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
You are eligible for help if you:
- be 16 years or older
- Are you a resident of Kent and live permanently in one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bexley or Bromley)
- Have a household income of less than £40,000 per year before tax, including all benefits and employment income
- Make sure you don't have more than $1,000 in savings, not including the money you've identified for paying regular bills
- Do not receive free school meal vouchers from your child's school for each child in your household during the school holidays
- Are responsible for your household's energy costs.
If you live in Kent and have a child in a family who qualifies for free school meals, you should have already received support, with schools already providing a £100 energy voucher per eligible child at the end of November. 2023.
Kent also has a Winter Household Support Fund which opened on January 9.
Eligible applicants will receive a £100 prepaid physical card or a virtual card to be spent towards utility bills.
The scheme follows the same eligibility requirements as above and residents must apply by February 29 to be eligible.
North Northamptonshire Council
North Northamptonshire Council is still rolling out its Household Support Fund allocation.
The municipality will provide a one-off benefit to those who qualify for assistance.
- A single person receives €150
- A married couple receives €260
- A household with three or more people receives €320
To qualify, residents must have a low income:
- For a single person €24,876, if you have a child this increases to €30,465
- For a couple €34,494, if you have a child, this increases to €36,123
It is also assessed how much you have saved:
- Single adults cannot have more than £4,704, £7,260
- Couples cannot have more than £7,116, £8,616
Residents can register until February 11.
Leicester City Council
Eligible Leicester City residents may be able to receive support for bills and essential food costs.
This is distributed via e-vouchers.
Some residents may also be able to get help with essential kitchen equipment and even rent it.
Eligible residents must not have received assistance from the municipality's previous distribution of government household support for living expenses.
Applications will reopen for the final time on February 24, but there is a limit of 300 applications, so you'll need to act quickly if you qualify.
Dorset Council
Dorset Council is rolling out the fourth round of its Household Support Fund and applications opened this week on February 6.
The council is providing vital help through £150 supermarket vouchers.
Eligible residents must:
- Pay council tax to Dorset Council
- Have an annual net household income of less than £30,000 and
- You have a savings amount of less than € 16,000 and
- Have not applied for a previous HSF benefit in the past six months (since August 2023).
If you miss this round, a new round will open on March 5, but this is the final round of funds and vouchers are subject to availability.
What other support is available?
If you are not eligible for the Domestic Support Fund in your region, you may still be entitled to additional support.
The third installment of living expenses arrived in bank accounts this week.
Those who qualify will receive a tax-free payment by February 22.
There's one week left to claim free energy bill vouchers of up to £1,700 from the Home Heating Support Fund.
In the meantime, you may be one of the thousands who still need to apply for the Warm Home discount, worth £150.
Or you may be eligible for a cold weather benefit worth €25.
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