Latest news with #DiscretionaryHousingPayments
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Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Households Support Fund 2025: UK families urged to apply
The Household Support Fund where you are: Scotland In Scotland, support is provided through programs such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for emergencies and Community Care Grants for essential household items. Additional cost-of-living support is distributed through local councils and targeted schemes such as the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps with energy costs. Eligibility and application processes vary but generally focus on low-income households and those receiving benefits. Wales Wales uses a combination of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and council-administered programs to assist struggling households. The DAF provides Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential costs, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items. The Welsh government has also introduced targeted cost-of-living payments and energy bill support. Applications for DAF are made online, by phone or via support agencies, with funding typically targeted at low-income individuals and families. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, support is available through schemes like Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants Discretionary Support Payments provide short-term financial aid for those in a crisis or emergency situation. Fuel support and cost-of-living payments have been implemented as part of broader government initiatives to tackle poverty and rising energy costs. Applications are made through the Department for Communities or local councils, and eligibility often depends on income and household circumstances.
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Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Households Support Fund 2025: UK families urged to apply
The Household Support Fund where you are: Scotland In Scotland, support is provided through programs such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for emergencies and Community Care Grants for essential household items. Additional cost-of-living support is distributed through local councils and targeted schemes such as the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps with energy costs. Eligibility and application processes vary but generally focus on low-income households and those receiving benefits. Wales Wales uses a combination of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and council-administered programs to assist struggling households. The DAF provides Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential costs, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items. The Welsh government has also introduced targeted cost-of-living payments and energy bill support. Applications for DAF are made online, by phone or via support agencies, with funding typically targeted at low-income individuals and families. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, support is available through schemes like Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants Discretionary Support Payments provide short-term financial aid for those in a crisis or emergency situation. Fuel support and cost-of-living payments have been implemented as part of broader government initiatives to tackle poverty and rising energy costs. Applications are made through the Department for Communities or local councils, and eligibility often depends on income and household circumstances.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Cost of living help from local councils for people on a low income
People working full-time may also be able to pause Council Tax payments to ease financial pressure. Families and individuals on a low income or income-related benefits may be able to get help from their local council. Councils across Scotland have funding to help people in financial need during the ongoing cost of living crisis and all you need to do is call and explain your situation. If you are on a benefit such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Pension Credit, your council may be able to offer advice or check if you are missing out on any additional unclaimed benefits, discounts or redactions. Even if you don't claim any benefits, they may be able to help you. Something as simple as asking for your next Council Tax payment to be put on hold could provide immediate relief from money worries - just phone your local council and ask for help. Local authorities were able to support around 94,000 households on a low income with £89.3 million in Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) in 2024/25, thanks to Scottish Government funding. The Scottish Government funds councils to use the payments to help people affected by the Bedroom Tax, the Benefit Cap, and other housing-related UK Government welfare reform policies. New figures published for April 2024 - March 2025 show that councils spent 99 per cent of the £74.8m budget for the Bedroom Tax, suggesting they were able to almost completely protect people from its effects. Local authorities spent £5 million mitigating the Benefit Cap, an increase of over 40 per cent on the previous year. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Over the last 15 years, the Scottish Government has spent around £1.4 billion mitigating the impacts of UK Government policies such as the Bedroom Tax and Benefit Cap. 'This money could have been spent on services like health, education and transport, or on further ambitious anti-poverty measures, and would pay for around 3,000 teachers or 3,700 band 5 nurses each year. 'Under our Programme for Government we will spend £97 million this year to enable councils to use Discretionary Housing Payments to protect more than 94,000 households in Scotland against the worst impacts of harmful UK Government policies.' Ms Somerville warned: 'The UK Government's welfare cuts will force more families and children into poverty, according to its own figures. It is time for them to think again and abandon these harmful changes.' Every local council in Scotland has their own service with different rules and may be able to offer help with loans or grants, food vouchers, fuel vouchers and recycled clothes or household items - find your local council here. The Scottish Welfare Fund is also a good source of financial help which provides Community Care Grants, to help people live independently, and Crisis Grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency. Community Care Grants You may be able to get a Community Care Grant if: you're leaving care or imprisonment and need help to start a settled home you've been homeless, or living an unsettled life, and need help to start a settled home you need support to stay out of care you're caring for someone who's been released from prison or a young offender's institution you're experiencing great pressure and need help to keep a settled home you're escaping domestic abuse a child's health is at risk Your income To get a Community Care Grant you need to be on a low income, but this does not mean you need to be on benefits. What counts as a low income There is no figure that confirms whether you have a low income. As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you can get a Community Care Grant: Income Support Pension Credit Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Income based Universal Credit Your savings If you have savings of over £700, or £1,200 if you get a pension, you may be less likely to get a Community Care Grant - your local council will decide. Crisis Grants A Crisis Grant is a one-off payment that can provide much-needed cash during an emergency, but it cannot be given to support your income long-term. If you need help because you are on a low income, the quickest way to find out what financial support you may be able to claim is to use a benefits calculator. These are independent, free and confidential and only take a few minutes to complete online - you can find out more about ones from Turn2Us, Advice Direct Scotland and entitledto at the end of this article. If your total household income is £30,000 or less, you may be entitled to extra help, so don't dismiss using one of the benefits calculators because you think your income is above the threshold. What is a Crisis Grant? A Crisis Grant can be given to cover the costs of an emergency Examples of this could include when: there is a fire or flood at home you have lost money an unexpected crisis happens you are a victim of domestic abuse and you need help with things like moving away from an abuser you are a grandparent or other relative who has taken over caring for a child, and you're waiting on a transfer of benefits you are facing a gap in your normal income because of a redundancy or change at work Who is eligible for a Crisis Grant? To get a Crisis Grant you need to be on a low income, however, this does not mean you need to be currently claiming benefits. What counts as a low income Similar to the Community Care Grant, the Scottish Government explains there is "no figure that will be used to judge whether you have a low income". As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you will be able to get a Crisis Grant: Income Support Pension Credit Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Universal Credit What financial help is available? If you do get a Crisis Grant, your local council will look at helping you with your most urgent living costs. Some things this may include are help with the costs of: Food Heating costs Many local councils have welfare rights advisers who can: tell you what benefits and other entitlements are available carry out checks so you don't miss out on any benefits help you complete forms give advice and support if your application for a benefit is turned down or you do not get the amount you were expecting How to apply You can apply directly to your local council through the website here. Most councils will tell you the outcome of your application within two working days, however, this may take longer due to application caseload. Online benefits calculators You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out: What benefits you could get How to claim How your benefits will be affected if you start work These calculators are free to use, anonymous, and could indicate benefits you're missing out on. Where to find help Advice Direct Scotland This new online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits, including Adult or Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support payment or Scottish Child Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Turn2us Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours entitledto Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work What you will need You will need accurate information about your: Savings Income, including your partner's Existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you) Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments) Council Tax bill
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of families to get up to £250 free cash for energy bills and council tax – are you eligible?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of households will be able to get free financial support from their council, including supermarket vouchers and help with rent payments. Rotherham Council has confirmed how it will spend the latest round of Government funding as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 One-off energy grants of £250 are being given to more than £2,000 households Credit: Getty It approved a spending plan this week after receiving £4.387m for the 2025/26 financial year. The Government's £742million Household Support Fund is being split between councils across England to help the poorest residents. The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council gets to decide how it will spend the cash but the aim is to help those on a low income or benefits. Rotherham has said it will prioritise helping residents with food, energy grants and council tax relief, as well as aid for care leavers and other vulnerable groups. Roughly half of the funding - £2.687million - will be spent on supermarket vouchers for the families of children eligible for free school meals. The vouchers will be given out during the school holidays and will be worth £15 per week. All children who get free school meals will be eligible automatically and their families will not need to apply. The council will also be making Discretionary Housing Payments to help people cover their rent. The payments will be given to people on Housing Benefit or who get the housing element of Universal Credit but need more help with housing costs. COUNCIL TAX REDUCTIONS Separately, the Local Council Tax Support scheme will reduce council tax bills for more than 14,000 low-income households. Some £500,000 has been allocated to fund the Energy Crisis Support scheme, which will give one-off £250 energy grants to more than 2,000 households. Young people leaving care and setting up home can also get help for food and utility bills through the Children and Young People's Services Directorate. Rotherham Council said it's already working directly with these young people and there is no need to apply. As well as this, the fund will help provide more food, household goods and personal hygiene products to foodbanks. People can access this help by visiting their local foodbank or Open Arms drop-in sessions. Another £60,000 is being spent on helping local voluntary and community groups to distribute food hampers and support over Christmas and New Year. What if you don't live in Rotherham? If you're struggling financially but don't live in Rotherham you may still be able to get help from the Household Support Fund. That's because the fund is being split between councils across England, so your local council should have its own plans. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. The latest round of funding has only just started so your council might not be accepting applications yet. It's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels. Plus, most councils have pages on their websites dedicated to their HSF. You might be able to find it by typing in the name of your council then "Household Support Fund" into Google search.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Thousands of families to get up to £250 free cash for energy bills and council tax – are you eligible?
THOUSANDS of households will be able to get free financial support from their council, including supermarket vouchers and help with rent payments. Rotherham Council has confirmed how it will spend the latest round of Government funding as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme. 1 It approved a spending plan this week after receiving £4.387m for the 2025/26 financial year. The Government's £742million Household Support Fund is being split between councils across England to help the poorest residents. The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council gets to decide how it will spend the cash but the aim is to help those on a low income or benefits. Rotherham has said it will prioritise helping residents with food, energy grants and council tax relief, as well as aid for care leavers and other vulnerable groups. Roughly half of the funding - £2.687million - will be spent on supermarket vouchers for the families of children eligible for free school meals. The vouchers will be given out during the school holidays and will be worth £15 per week. All children who get free school meals will be eligible automatically and their families will not need to apply. The council will also be making Discretionary Housing Payments to help people cover their rent. The payments will be given to people on Housing Benefit or who get the housing element of Universal Credit but need more help with housing costs. COUNCIL TAX REDUCTIONS Separately, the Local Council Tax Support scheme will reduce council tax bills for more than 14,000 low-income households. Some £500,000 has been allocated to fund the Energy Crisis Support scheme, which will give one-off £250 energy grants to more than 2,000 households. Young people leaving care and setting up home can also get help for food and utility bills through the Children and Young People's Services Directorate. Rotherham Council said it's already working directly with these young people and there is no need to apply. As well as this, the fund will help provide more food, household goods and personal hygiene products to foodbanks. People can access this help by visiting their local foodbank or Open Arms drop-in sessions. Another £60,000 is being spent on helping local voluntary and community groups to distribute food hampers and support over Christmas and New Year. What if you don't live in Rotherham? If you're struggling financially but don't live in Rotherham you may still be able to get help from the Household Support Fund. That's because the fund is being split between councils across England, so your local council should have its own plans. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. The latest round of funding has only just started so your council might not be accepting applications yet. It's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels. Plus, most councils have pages on their websites dedicated to their HSF. You might be able to find it by typing in the name of your council then "Household Support Fund" into Google search. 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 £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need. It was then extended in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a second time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living. The DWP then confirmed a third extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024. Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fourth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024. In September 2024, the Government announced a fifth extension.
