THOUSANDS of households will soon be able to apply for vouchers worth up to £300 to help with living costs.
Difficult families can apply for support to help with living costs through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
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Thousands of households can receive support through the Household Support FundCredit: PA
HSF offers help to households in need and has been extended several times since it was introduced by the Government in 2021.
Funding is given to local councils for distribution, so the support available varies across the country.
What you can get depends on where you live, but money can be paid out as a direct cash transfer or shopping vouchers.
The fund is usually allocated based on your financial situation and the benefits you receive.
It has been announced that households in Leicestershire in need of support can apply for a financial award of £300 per household.
The fund is paid out in the form of vouchers to support gas, electricity and food.
If you want to use cash to help with gas, electricity or water, you’ll be able to claim a Post Office payment voucher that can be exchanged for cash.
If you have been awarded a food eVoucher, you will need to go online to convert it into a gift card for one of the following supermarkets:
- Aldi
- Iceland
- Morrisons
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Asda
- Shop Group company
- Farmfoods
To qualify, you’ll need to live in Leicestershire, have a low income and have limited savings.
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You can apply online from Monday 1 July via the Council’s website.
If you have already received support from the fund this year, you will be able to apply again only at the end of September.
Each council will receive funding from HSF, so if you’re worried about making ends meet, check your local council’s website for further details.
Further support may also be available to help with food costs during the school holidays.
How was the Household Support Fund developed?
THE Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Britons get through the winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils across the country have been given a share of £500m of funding available to share with Britons in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and 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 to the scheme until 31 March 2024.
Chancellor Jeremey Hunt extended the HSF for a fifth time as he delivered his Spring Budget on 6 March 2024.
To find your local council, use the Government’s council finder.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times, until September 2024.
The latest round of funding to councils in England is worth £421 million.
Who meets the conditions and the level of support provided is a lottery, as each local authority can set criteria for the distribution of funds.
However, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, are classed as vulnerable or receive benefits, you are likely to qualify for help.
What other support is available?
The support provided varies from borough to borough, so it’s worth checking the schemes your local borough has to make sure you get all the help available.
For example, in Hertfordshire funding has also been made available to support low-income households facing the current financial crisis, to help with energy costs and to support food banks.
You can find out which council area you fall under using the government’s council finder tool on its website.
You don’t have to worry about additional support affecting your existing benefits, as HSF payments will not affect them.
And you don’t necessarily have to be in receipt of benefits to receive vouchers or funding from HSF.
How to apply?
To get help, you’ll need to check with your municipality, as local authorities are responsible for distributing funds.
Information on how to apply for funding should be published on your council’s website. Each council will have a different application procedure.
If there is no information on your council’s website then it is best to call them and ask for more information.
What council tax support is available?
THERE are several ways in which you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill.
In some cases, you can even wipe out the bill entirely by reducing your council tax.
Factors such as your household income, whether you have children and whether you receive benefits will affect what you get.
To apply visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.
You will need your National Insurance number, bank statements, recent pay slip or letter from the Jobcentre and your passport or driving license when filling out the details.
Below we reveal to you all the ways in which you can get discounts or reduce your bill:
Discount for one person
If you live alone, you can get a 25% discount on council tax.
This also applies if one adult and one student live together in the apartment or if one adult and one person who is classified as severely mentally disabled live in the house.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally disabled, you can also get a bigger reduction, up to 50%.
And if you live in a student household, you can get a 100% discount.
Pensioners
Pensioners may also be entitled to a council tax reduction.
If you receive the guaranteed loan element of the pension loan, you can get a 100% discount.
If not, you can still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
A pensioner who lives alone will also be entitled to a 25 percent discount.
Low-income households
If you are on a low income or receive benefits, you may be entitled to a reduction in your council tax.
Whether you qualify will depend on where you live.
You can also get a reprieve if you’re having trouble paying your bills, or you can talk to your local council about setting up a payment plan to manage your costs.
But one thing you must remember is that if you are experiencing difficulties, you should contact your council as soon as possible.
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