Time is running out to get a lump sum of £450 to help with living costs

THOUSANDS of households can get up to £450 of free support – and you don't need to have Universal Credit or other benefits.

The support is provided through the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) program and is available nationwide.

Households can receive hundreds of euros in support without benefitsCredit: Getty

Residents of Calderdale, West Yorkshire, will receive a one-off payment of £50, but can also get the full £450.

The free money is given to families with housing benefit and/or council tax reductions or free school meals.

Calderdale Council began contacting eligible families in January, but households can still register for payment if they believe they are eligible.

The deadline for registration is Thursday, February 29.

Payments will begin on February 19 and will be spread over the week.

Households who do not receive additional living allowances from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can receive up to £450.

To apply, residents must provide the last two bank statements for each adult in the household.

Municipalities across the country are distributing 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.

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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.

For more information about what support is available and how to get it, you should contact your local council.

You can find yours using gov.uk's council check tool.

WHAT OTHER HELP IS AVAILABLE?

British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF are among the major companies offering help.

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the company, but you will usually need to prove that you have energy debt or are experiencing fuel poverty.

The government classes fuel poverty, for example when a household has to spend a “large part” of its income to keep the temperature at a reasonable level.

It's worth checking whether you're also eligible for benefits, after the latest figures from analytics firm Policy in Practice show that £19 billion in support is going unclaimed every year.

There are several free online calculators you can use to find out what you may qualify for:

By claiming benefits you can not only earn extra money from the benefits themselves, but you could also qualify for living expenses payments of £299.

Meanwhile, anyone who pays for their energy with a prepayment meter may be able to get a fuel voucher to top up.

The money comes through the Fuel Bank Foundation, which provides emergency fuel vouchers to households at risk of running out of credit.

They are worth £49 in winter and £30 in the summer months when heating demand is lower.

You can submit an application through your municipality, which you can find using the government's municipality finder.

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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