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Thousands of struggling households can claim up to £550 free cash and supermarket vouchers – full list of help available
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THOUSANDS of households can get up to £550 in free cash to cover the cost of living over the next few months.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which has been set up by the Government.
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It has been extended multiple times but the latest round covering April to September is worth a whopping £421million.
The pot of cash has been shared between councils in England who then have to decide how to distribute it.
That means what you are entitled to and whether you qualify depends on where you live.
However, help is usually offered out to those on a low income, benefits, or who are classed as vulnerable - though not always.
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We've rounded up some of the councils offering help through the latest round where you could get as much as £550.
If your council isn't mentioned in the below list, you can always check if your local authority is dishing out any help by checking directly on their website.
You can find your council by using the Government's council checker tool - visit: gov.uk/find-local-council.
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is handing out payments worth up to £200 to thousands of households in need.
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You'll qualify for the payments if you receive council tax support and your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G and a member of your household is classed as disabled.
You will also be eligible if you are on council tax support and your household has been identified as being in, or at risk of, financial crisis.
Care leavers responsible for council tax at their address and anyone who previously made an application to the HSF between April 2023 and March 2024 and received a payment will also be eligible.
There's no need to apply for the payment as it will be made automatically into your bank account.
All £200 payments will be made by the end of July.
LEEDS
Leeds City Council has been allocated £7.09million from the HSF.
What residents can get depends on the level of council tax support they are receiving.
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Those receiving council tax Support and with children will receive a £100 payment.
Pensioners and working-age adults without children will be awarded £25.
If you are eligible for a payment, it will be made throughout July.
Eligible households will receive letters containing a barcode which can be taken to the Post Office, along with their ID, to redeem the cash.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £500million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
LINCOLNSHIRE
Hard-up families in North East Lincolnshire can claim supermarket vouchers worth £90 to cover the cost of food.
The vouchers can be used across a number of major retailers including Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons or Tesco.
They are set to be administered via a portal called WONDE E between July 8-18.
To qualify for the vouchers, children will need to be in receipt of free school meals.
Households can also apply for cash payments worth £250 if they are on a low income.
To receive a payment, households need to prove their income is less than £20,000 and that they have less than £500 in savings.
You can apply for help through the council's website.
SHROPSHIRE
Shropshire Council has been handed £2.1million from the latest HSF round and there is a host of help on offer.
Thousands of households on a low income and receiving council tax support with a dependant child resident in the property will qualify for a £400 payment.
If this is you, you will be sent a letter in the post with instructions on how to apply for the payment.
Working-age residents in receipt of council tax support are also eligible for payments of up to £60.
Residents that meet this eligibility criteria will receive an automatic discount on their council tax bill, so don't need to apply.
STOCKPORT
Stockport Council is dishing out supermarket vouchers worth £105 to families struggling to pay for essentials.
The fund is paid per child, so, for example, any families with three children will receive vouchers totalling £315.
You qualify for help if your children are on free school meals while households receiving council tax support and/or Housing Benefit are also eligible.
All vouchers will be distributed in late July.
Vouchers for children who receive free school meals will be sent via email if the council has an email address, with further instructions.
Families with children who qualify because they are receiving local council tax support and/or Housing Benefit will receive vouchers via post.
SOUTH RIBBLE
South Ribble Council in Lancashire is offering residents vouchers worth £350 which can be spent at a range of retailers.
The Local Authority says around 10,000 residents are eligible for the help.
Support will also be offered to help people cover their broadband and phone bills.
Households will also receive heating products that improve energy efficiency and other essentials like sanitary products, warm clothing and soap.
Costs of microwaves, small fridges and slow cookers could also be included in the helping-hand plan.
Residents will be awarded vouchers worth up to £300, but a concession is set to be made for single-person households, who can claim an extra £50.
To be eligible, you'll need to be a South Ribble resident and be facing financial hardship, which means you can't cover immediate needs.
You can apply via the council's website.
WAVERLY
Waverley Borough Council in Surrey is handing out one-off cash payments worth up to £550 to help households pay for essentials.
The grants are designed to cover the cost of food, gas, electricity or water bills, household appliances such as cookers and washing machines, and school uniforms.
You will be eligible if you live in Waverley and are struggling to pay for these items or bills.
Anyone who has previously applied to the HSF can apply again, but only once in the current window.
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There's an application portal on the council's website.
There's also a paper copy of the form available if you don't have access to a computer. You can call 01483 523204 to request the form.
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