Some £350 in Cost of Living payments could be paid out to 'thousands' of people who don't receive benefits. Both people who don't claim benefits - such as Universal Credit - or those who aren't eligible for such benefits, could still receive help via the Household Support Fund.
Lancs Live reports that the Household Support Fund is worth some £842 million and was first established in 2021. It was extended for the second time last year in the March 2022 budget, and then again for a third time in November and a fourth in the 2023 spring budget.
It offers funding to those on the lowest incomes, to help with the rising cost of living. Each council receives a different portion of funding, depending on the size of the catchment area, as well as its population and need, according to The Sun.
Read more: £301 DWP Cost of Living payments - when to expect them and how they'll appear in accounts
Claimants will need to check what they could receive and how their council will pay them as the vouchers and grants on offer can vary by location. Typically, those people on low income will receive the help, however you don't necessarily have to be claiming benefits from the DWP (Department for Work & Pensions) in order to receive these payouts - eligible households could get up to £350 depending on their individual circumstances.
So who is eligible and what could they receive?
Local authorities may have some say over how they use the Fund to reach vulnerable people in their communities (see below for more details for the Bristol area). Depending on where you live, eligibility requirements will vary so it is worth checking with your council directly to see what you could be entitled to.
One example of the criteria used to consider you for the payment includes the following...
You must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a resident within the area you are applying for
- Be getting housing benefit and/or council tax reduction
- Not be getting any relevant means-tested benefits
Or:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a resident within the area you are applying for
- Be getting housing benefit and/or council tax reduction
- Be receiving means-tested benefit which must include either carer's allowance, the carer's element of Universal Credit or a disability benefit
How to apply for the Household Support Fund
Some households will be told that they can apply for cash help, while others will receive the money automatically. This will, again, be set out by your council and you'll be able to find out more information directly through your local authority.
For example, all of the benefits and financial help available to those in Bristol - under Bristol City Council - can be found on this page. Here, under the Household Support Fund tab, the council states that you should not contact Bristol City Council, you will be notified if you are eligible.
It also states that the fund will be divided between the following:
- Free school meal vouchers
- Care leavers and foster households
- Charities
- Low-income pensioners
Further support options can be found here.
Other nation-wide help available
Millions of people are set to receive cost of living payments worth up to £1,350, with the first instalment already in the process of being paid to those on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit. A £150 payment and another somewhere between £150-£300 will be made to millions of people with disabilities, as well as pensioners.
You may be entitled to the £150 disability cost of living payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you are eligible for the payment, it will be made this summer. Meanwhile, pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment from November this year.
You will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if you were born before September 25, 1957. Those eligible for the payment will receive a letter in October and November telling them how much money to expect.
Energy suppliers also offer plenty of energy grants and schemes to help you out if you're struggling.
Here's a list of schemes open right now (correct at time of writing):
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
There's even a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you are on a prepayment meter, too.
Read next:
- DWP plans new system to record disability health assessments
- Martin Lewis urges Universal Credit claimants to check for cheap broadband as prices rise
- DWP: New rules on £150 energy discount issued to PIP claimants as 290,000 miss out
- Millions could be entitled to vouchers to help pay for energy bills - but there's not long left to claim
- The DWP benefits to be paid early next week - including PIP and Universal Credit
