Thousands of Brits could get ‘top-ups’ worth up to £700, but you’ll need to act fast

THOUSANDS of happy British households can receive up to £700 in ‘top-ups’ to help them with rising energy bills – but you’ll need to act quickly.

Residents can claim the aid package through their municipality as part of the Household Support Fund program.

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Those living under Newcastle City Council are eligible for the money, as councilors want to help people ‘top up’ their bank accounts.

The money is only available to those who have not received a £900 living package in the last 12 months.

Seven hundred pounds is the most you can get, as the amount depends on your “individual circumstances”, the council said.

Newcastle City Council’s website announced plans to pay out the money in three installments until the end of March 2024.

Those who qualify will be automatically contacted by the council’s benefits department later this month.

They will detail your deal and tell you how to claim it.

This support scheme started in the summer of last year, with people already receiving payments of between £400 and £700 sent to them.

Despite this offer being exclusive to Newcastle City Council residents, the entire country has received funding that local councils will distribute to those who need it most.

But a stunning report has revealed that £85 million remains unclaimed and still waiting to be spent.

Local councils received £842 million in funding from the Government but now have just weeks to transfer this.

The money is only available until March 31.

What is the Domestic Support Fund and who is eligible for it?

The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits meet the rising costs of living.

Guess in England received a share of £500 million in funding and was allowed to distribute it to households in need.

It was subsequently extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022.

In February last year, the DWP extended the scheme for the fourth time until March 31, 2024.

So far the government has refused to confirm whether the agreement will be extended again.

However, The Sun understands it has not ruled out a fifth extension, one of which is “under review”.

Eligibility for assistance through the scheme varies as each municipality is allowed to determine its own eligibility criteria.

But in most cases, help is offered to people on benefits or on a low income.

For example, Doncaster Council helps people with housing benefit, council tax cuts, Universal Credit and free school meals.

Meanwhile, Dorset Council is handing out support to people with an annual net household income of less than £30,000 and savings of less than £16,000.

How much can I get?

As with eligibility, the amount you can receive through the Household Support Fund varies depending on where you live.

For example, Kent County Council is offering residents £100 worth of virtual prepaid cards, which can be used to pay for energy. accounts.

In the meantime, Portsmouth The municipality hands out supermarket vouchers worth €150.

Dorset Council is rolling out the fourth round of its Household Support Fund, including £150 worth of supermarket vouchers.

Check your local council’s website to see what help is available, or call them for more information.

Not all municipalities distribute support to individual residents; some use their money to modernize people’s homes.

For example, Kingston upon Hull Council has used the fund to pay for hundreds of boilers and radiators for poor families.