Latest news with #CouncilTaxSupport
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hard-up households to get up to £150 in free cost of living cash
Read below for more councils providing financial support CASH IN Hard-up households to get up to £150 in free cost of living cash HARD-UP households can get up to £150 in free cost of living cash. Cash-strapped households can get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 1 The household support fund gives cash grants to struggling households The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income. Eligible households in Leeds will get payments of up to £150 to help. How much you will be given depends on factors like if you are a pensioner or if you have dependent children. All claimants must also be in receipt of Council Tax Support, a scheme where those on a low income or benefits can get money off the bill. The payment will be £125 to households with dependent children and £50 to all households without. Meanwhile, some pensioner households who are eligible for Council Tax Support but not the Winter Fuel Payment will receive £150. The £300 benefit was previously available to everyone aged 66 but cuts made by Labour now mean only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit get the help. Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, - however the PM was sparse on details about when the changes might take place. Cash for Care Leeds council said those who are eligbile for the support will recieve the payment in the autumn and winter. The council also said it would be in direct contact with those who meet the criteria. A qualifying date for when you need to have been in receipt of Council Tax Support to be eligible for the support has not yet been set. So if you think you may be eligible for the support it might be worth submitting an application. You can find out more by vising, APPLY FOR A COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax. Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live. Also it does not matter whether you own your home or rent, anyone who is struggling financially can apply. You need to apply for a reduction via your local councils website. To make a claim, will need to provide the council with information on your earnings and what pensions, benefits, allowances and tax credits you receive. To find where your local council is visit In some instances your bill could be reduced by 100%, meaning you don't have to pay anything. You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost. Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount. If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings. And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too. Again, to claim this, you will need to contact your local council. WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN LEEDS The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. For example, North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. Meanwhile, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. Hartlepool council is also distributing £100 food vouchers to all children eligible for free school meals aged between two and 19. But even if you don't live in these areas but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind, because the new round of the HSF has only just opened, you might not be able to apply for help yet. However, it's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Hard-up households to get up to £150 in free cost of living cash
HARD-UP households can get up to £150 in free cost of living cash. Cash-strapped households can get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 1 The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income. Eligible households in Leeds will get payments of up to £150 to help. How much you will be given depends on factors like if you are a pensioner or if you have dependent children. All claimants must also be in receipt of Council Tax Support, a scheme where those on a low income or benefits can get money off the bill. The payment will be £125 to households with dependent children and £50 to all households without. Meanwhile, some pensioner households who are eligible for Council Tax Support but not the Winter Fuel Payment will receive £150. The £300 benefit was previously available to everyone aged 66 but cuts made by Labour now mean only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit get the help. Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, - however the PM was sparse on details about when the changes might take place. Cash for Care Leeds council said those who are eligbile for the support will recieve the payment in the autumn and winter. The council also said it would be in direct contact with those who meet the criteria. A qualifying date for when you need to have been in receipt of Council Tax Support to be eligible for the support has not yet been set. So if you think you may be eligible for the support it might be worth submitting an application. You can find out more by vising, APPLY FOR A COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax. Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live. Also it does not matter whether you own your home or rent, anyone who is struggling financially can apply. You need to apply for a reduction via your local councils website. To make a claim, will need to provide the council with information on your earnings and what pensions, benefits, allowances and tax credits you receive. To find where your local council is visit In some instances your bill could be reduced by 100%, meaning you don't have to pay anything. You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost. Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount. If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings. And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too. Again, to claim this, you will need to contact your local council. WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN LEEDS The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. For example, North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. Meanwhile, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. Hartlepool council is also distributing £100 food vouchers to all children eligible for free school meals aged between two and 19. But even if you don't live in these areas but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind, because the new round of the HSF has only just opened, you might not be able to apply for help yet. However, it's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of households to be handed supermarket vouchers worth up to £150 in DAYS – are you eligible?
CASH-STRAPPED families in Camden are in line for free supermarket vouchers worth up to £150 per child this year — and payments start landing in DAYS. The support comes from the latest round of the Household Support Fund (HSF), which has been extended until March 2026 to help struggling Brits cover essentials like food and energy. Advertisement 1 Cash-strapped families in Camden are in line for free supermarket vouchers Credit: Alamy Under the scheme, families who get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support — and have kids up to age 18 — can get vouchers three times a year to help cover food costs during term time. You'll get: £45 per child in February (Spring term) £60 in May (Summer term) £45 in September (Autumn term) That adds up to a whopping £150 per child, per year — and households with more than one child could be hundreds of pounds better off. But there's a catch — your child must be registered for free school meals, even if you already get benefits like Universal Credit or Tax Credits. Advertisement So if you haven't signed them up yet, now's the time. The scheme is aimed at helping struggling families keep food on the table without falling further into debt. And it's not just food support on offer. Low-income pensioners in Camden are also in line for a £300 Post Office voucher to help with heating, food and other bills this winter — no application needed. Advertisement There's more help available too. Residents can apply for an emergency payment of up to £500 if they're in serious financial difficulty and can't afford essentials. That's also funded by the HSF, but you'll need to register for Camden's Money Advice Service first. Once signed up, you can apply for both the emergency cash and vouchers — but only one application at a time. Advertisement To apply or find out more, visit or call 020 7974 4444. Not in Camden? You could still be eligible. The government has dished out £742million in HSF funding across councils in England — so check your local council's website for updates. That means you may be able to claim free cash, supermarket vouchers or energy support from your local authority. Advertisement Check your council's website for updates as more HSF schemes open up. Recently, households in Redcar & Cleveland have also been urged to apply for support worth £230. Whilst, those living in Worcestershire could be entitled to get up to £500 in cost of living help through the fund. Other help you can claim If you're not eligible for the Household Support Fund, you might qualify for other forms of help to cover energy bills or food. Advertisement Support may vary depending on your local council – so even if you don't live in Cheshire East, it's worth checking what's on offer in your area. Several energy firms offer grants to households who are struggling to pay their energy bills worth up to £2,000. This includes British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF. New parents might also be eligible for free food worth up to £442 a year to cover the cost of healthy food and milk via the Healthy Start scheme. Advertisement Or, you can get an emergency food parcel from a Trussell Trust food bank. You can find your nearest via To get a food parcel, you need a voucher from a community organisation like Citizens Advice or your GP. You can then exchange this voucher for a food parcel at the food bank. It's also worth checking if you're eligible for benefits if you haven't already - billions of pounds' worth is going unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice. Advertisement
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Thousands to get £100 in cost of living help as scheme reopens
In the recent extension of the Household Support Fund scheme, Hartlepool Council received £1.75million in funding and recently confirmed how it planned to spend it Thousands of Brits are going to be sent cost of living help worth £100 through the government's Household Support Fund scheme. The scheme - first launched in 2021 and run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - has given local councils pots of cash to support struggling households in their area. Each authority decides how it wants to spend the money, and help can range from free cash payments to supermarket vouchers. Labour extended the cost of living support scheme in the recent Spring Statement and it will be running for aother year until March 2026. In the recent extension of the scheme, Hartlepool Council received £1.75million in funding and recently confirmed how it planned to spend it. Hartlepool Council will give out food vouchers worth £100 to households with children aged between two and 19. According to the council, the vouchers will be sent to 7,500 children and young people living in the area. Last year's funding provided vouchers to 7,542 low income families. Alongside this, the council aims to use £440,800 of its budget to provide payments or food vouchers worth £100 to pensioners claiming Council Tax Support. In previous rounds of the Household Support Fund scheme, Hartlepool awarded 4,450 pensioners with food vouchers or payments. Of the funding, £90,000 each will go to Citizens' Advice Bureau and Advice at Hart to provide fuel vouchers and help residents pay energy bills. Local residents will need to apply for this support through an application process. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money Another £226,000 will be used to deliver an application fund 'aimed at those who can evidence they are struggling but cannot access other forms of support.' This fund will provide local residents with one-off financial support for energy, food, and other household essentials. There is no set amount for this help, and the amount you can get will be based on your personal circumstances. A further £20,660 will go to help those struggling with housing costs. Again, this will be an application-based system. Finally, £40,000 will go to Hartlepool Food Bank. Hartlepool Council's website details all the support offered alongside the criteria. Sign up to Mirror Money's newsletter for the latest advice and news From universal credit to furlough, employment rights, travel updates and emergency financial aid - we've got all of the big financial stories you need to know about right now. You cannot claim this support if you do not live in Hartlepool, however you are able to claim help from your local council through their own Household Support Fund scheme. Due to this system, it means it can be a postcode lottery for the support you can get. Each council's website details its support offerings alongside its eligibility criteria. Usually, it has a separate cost of living tab that details the help on offer. It's imprtant to note that each council will also have a different application process for the scheme. Some ask you to apply online, while others ask you to apply over the phone. Some councils are also reaching out to those eligible directly You can find out who your local council is through the official page here. All you need to do is enter your postcode by using this link to see who your local authority is.
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hard up households can apply for cost of living support worth £230
Keep scrolling to learn about other councils giving out free cash HELPING HAND Hard up households can apply for cost of living support worth £230 THOUSANDS of households can apply for cost of living cash worth up to £230. Cash-strapped households can get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 1 Households can apply for support worth £230 The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income. Households in Redcar & Cleveland can now apply for support worth £230. How much you can get depends on different factors such as whether you have children or not. For example, if you are household without children receiving Council Tax Support you will receive a payment of £116. And if you have one or more dependent children in your household and claiming the support you will receive £230. Those with children who don't receive Council Tax Support but have a low household income and are financially struggling will also receive £230. The payments will be sent to applicants bank accounts and can be used for daily living essentials and utility costs. You can find out more about how to apply by visiting, Household Support Fund Other councils to have announced details of their schemes include Salford where residents can apply for free food vouchers and fuel top up credits. North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. Meanwhile, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. What if I don't live in Redcar & Cleveland The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. So, if you don't live in this area but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind, because the new round of the HSF has only just opened, you might not be able to apply for help yet. However, it's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels.
