Latest news with #HSF
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.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Full list of Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in June worth up to £10,221
Plus find out how to check what benefits you could be entitled to BENEFIT BOOST Full list of Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in June worth up to £10,221 FAMILIES on Universal Credit can now cash in on a bumper haul of freebies and discounts worth up to £10,221 this June. From food vouchers to help with bills and even cheap days out, there's a treasure trove of support on offer. 1 Universal credit claimants can cash in on up to £10,221 of freebies this June Here's the full list of what you could be claiming this month. Household Support Fund – worth £500 The Household Support Fund has been extended until March 2026 – and it's dishing out direct payments of up to £500. Local councils like Birmingham are offering £200 payments, while others are handing out food or fuel vouchers. Each council sets its own rules, so check your local authority's website to see what's on offer and how to apply. Find your council via or visit for Birmingham-specific help. Where is the HSF available? Plymouth - up to £740 Plymouth City Council said eligible residents can receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers. This includes £240 in supermarket vouchers for either Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi, or Iceland, and £200 in energy vouchers. It also includes an essential item of household furniture or white goods or £300 of clothing vouchers. Blackpool - up to £300 Households with one or two people - including children - will see £200 paid directly to their energy provider. Those with three or more will get £300 paid towards their energy costs. Middlesbrough - up to £70 People in the area who claim benefits and do not have children can apply for a £50 voucher. Those living alone will get up to £37.50 and couples will get £50. If there are children in your household, you'll get a voucher for £70 per child. Leicestershire - up to £300 Households in Leicestershire can apply for £300 per household, which will be paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food. The payment can be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets. Leeds - up to £100 Residents of Leeds who receive council tax support with dependent children can claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25. Eligible households will have received letters featuring a barcode that can then be taken to the post office along with ID to claim the cash. Bracknell Forest - up to £315 Applicants could be eligible for a one-off £105 payment per child between now and September, if applicants meet the qualifying benefits. Cambridgeshire County - up to £220 Low-income households in Cambridgeshire can apply for a financial award of £110 per household. Residents can apply twice for support between now and September 30, meaning each household could receive as much as £220. The funds can be paid in a lump sum of £110 or as vouchers. Falkirk - up to £470 The amount residents can get under the HSF depends on the number of people in their household. A single adult will receive £110, with an additional £90 payment made for every further resident. For example, a couple with no dependent children would receive £200. Stockport - up to £315 Stockport Council is giving out vouchers worth £105 to families struggling to pay for essentials. The fund is paid per child, so if you have three children you would be entitled to £315 worth of supermarket vouchers. Food Vouchers – worth £150 Camden Council is dishing out £150 food vouchers in June to families with kids on free school meals. Other Councils across the country have similar schemes over summer with North Somerset offering £100 vouchers. No application is needed - around 5,200 children will be sent the vouchers automatically. Healthy Start food help – worth £442 a year New parents or expectant mums can get up to £442 annually for essentials like fruit, veg and baby formula. The Healthy Start scheme gives you a prepaid card loaded with funds every four weeks. Apply online if you're on benefits like Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit. Amazon Prime Gaming April Free Gift Frenzy Cheap days out – save £101 If you're on Universal Credit, you can unlock serious savings on days out across the UK: London Transport Museum: Entry for just £1 – usually £21 Yorkshire museums: Free entry, saving up to £17 per adult ZSL London Zoo: Entry for £3 – a £31.50 saving Tower of London & Hampton Court: £1 entry instead of £33.60 In total you could save up to £101 on these days out. Help to Save – get £1,200 bonus cash The government's Help to Save scheme gives you a 50% top-up when you put away cash. Save £50 a month and you could get up to £1,200 over four years. Open to those on Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit – even small savers will see rewards. Water bill help – worth £400 You could slash your water bill by hundreds through social tariffs or the WaterSure scheme. The support is aimed at low-income families or those who use lots of water due to disability or large households. Contact your supplier directly and ask what help is available. Some firms even offer free water-saving devices like shower timers and cistern bags to bring your usage down. Free prescriptions and healthcare – up to £119 If you're on Universal Credit, you might be eligible for free NHS prescriptions, saving you £9.90 a pop – that's nearly £120 a year. You could also get: Free dental checks Free eye tests Travel reimbursement for medical appointments Free wigs or glasses Use the NHS online checker to see what you can get. Discounted broadband and mobile contracts – worth £370 If you're on Universal Credit, social tariffs could save you a fortune. Some providers offer deals as low as £12.50 a month, slashing the average annual cost by £170. Mobile contracts are also covered – total savings could hit £370 across both. Check Ofcom's full list of providers, or use The Sun's free broadband checker. Council tax support – up to £2,280 Those struggling with council tax could get a major discount – or even have the bill wiped completely. Council Tax Support varies by area, but if you're on a low income or receiving Universal Credit, you could save up to £2,280 a year. Head to to check your eligibility. Energy bill help – up to £2,000 Energy firms like British Gas are offering hardship grants worth up to £2,000. Other suppliers are dishing out energy-saving gadgets and fuel vouchers. If you don't qualify through your supplier, charities like Turn2Us have searchable databases to help you find other grants. The Household Support Fund also covers energy costs – reach out to your council now. Pregnancy grant – worth £500 Mums expecting their first child could claim a one-off £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant. It's available to those on Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits. You must apply within 11 weeks of the due date or six months after the baby is born. Print off the SF100 form online and get it signed by a midwife before posting. Support with travel and job applications – worth £150 Claimants can get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card, cutting public transport costs by 50% across the UK. The card lasts for three months and is fre, you just need to be actively job hunting. There's also the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover costs like: Travel to interviews Job training (up to £150) Uniforms, work tools, and childcare Apply at your local JobCentre. Cheap gym memberships – worth £240 Some leisure centres offer Universal Credit claimants gym memberships from as little as £5 a month. That's a £20 saving every month or £240 a year. Everyone Active and Better Leisure both offer discounted rates. Access is often off-peak and varies by location, so check with your nearest centre. Free childcare – worth up to £1,769 a year Working parents on Universal Credit can now get up to 85% of childcare costs covered. The max payout is £1,031.88 a month for one child, or £1,768.94 for two or more – that's over £21,000 a year if claimed in full. You used to have to pay upfront, but now some parents get help before the bills are due. If you're unsure whether you qualify for any of these perks, it's worth checking or speaking to your local council. Don't miss out – the savings could seriously stack up.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Simple tool reveals exact date thousands of Universal Credit will see big payments boost in weeks
Scroll down to find out how much the different elements of Universal Credit have risen by BENEFITS BOOST Simple tool reveals exact date thousands of Universal Credit will see big payments boost in weeks A SIMPLE tool reveals the exact date thousands on Universal Credit will receive a pay rise. Benefit payments rose by 1.7% on April 7 in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2024. This is common governmental practice and ensures people's benefit amounts keep up with the cost of living. However, while the new rates are already in effect, some on Universal Credit will have to wait longer until they receive new bumper amounts. This is because the benefit is assessed based on your circumstances each month, known as an "assessment period", but paid in arrears. This means payments you receive each month are based on your circumstances in your previous assessment period. The new Universal Credit rates came into effect after the first full one-month assessment period, which started on or after April 7. For those whose assessment periods started after April 7, their payments rose as early as May 13. However, anyone whose assessment period started before this date could be waiting until June 12 to get the new higher rate. Check out our searchable table above which reveals when you will get the higher rate based on your assessment period. NEW UNIVERSAL CREDIT RATES Here is a full list of the new benefit rates for 2025-26 to give you a steer as to what you should expect to be paid. Universal Credit standard allowance (monthly) Single, under 25: £316.98 (up from £311.68) Single, 25 or over: £400.14 (up from £393.45) Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (up from £489.23) Joint claimants, one or both 25+: £628.10 (up from £617.60) Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Extra amounts for children First child (born before April 6, 2017): £339 (up from £333.33) Child born after April 6, 2017 or subsequent children: £292.81 (up from £287.92) Disabled child (lower rate): £158.76 (up from £156.11) Disabled child (higher rate): £495.87 (up from £487.58) Extra for limited capability for work Limited capability: £158.76 (up from £156.11) Work-related activity: £423.27 (up from £416.19) Carer's element Caring for a severely disabled person at least 35 hours a week: £201.68 (up from £198.31) Work allowance increases Higher work allowance (no housing): £684 (up from £673) Lower work allowance (with housing): £411 (up from £404) OTHER UNIVERSAL CREDIT NEWS Councils across England have started dishing out help after receiving funding through the Household Support Fund (HSF). And some are distributing support to those on benefits including Universal Credit. Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those in need. Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit. Each council in England decides who is eligible for a portion of funding individually. However, in most cases you'll qualify for help if you're struggling to cover essential bills like energy and food. Some local authorities are giving out help to those on benefits like Universal Credit, while others are assessing people's eligibility purely based on income and not factoring in benefits. Contact your council to find out what help is on offer. You can find what council area you fall under by visiting Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Households can apply for £200 cost of living cash in DAYS
Read below for more councils providing financial support HELPING HAND Households can apply for £200 cost of living cash in DAYS Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS will soon be allowed to apply for cost of living cash worth £200. Struggling households can get access to free cash through the Household Support Fund. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The HSF helps struggling households in need. 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 Birmingham will soon be able to apply for support worth £200, with applications opening in June. Those who have not received a payment from the council in the past 12 months will qualify for this round. The money is intended to help with energy, grocery and water costs. You can apply for support by visiting If you think you may qualify for the support but are not sure, it may be worth reaching out to the council to find out more. You can find out more by visting, Other councils to have announced details of their schemes include Salford where residents can apply for free food vouchers and fuel top up credits. Cash for Care 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. WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM 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.
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Court admits Helen Suzman Foundation as amicus curiae in apartheid litigation
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has been admitted as amicus curiae into litigation concerning the government's failure to prosecute apartheid-era crimes referred to by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Image: Leon Muller / Independent Newspapers Archives The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has been allowed to join the ongoing litigation regarding the government's failure to prosecute apartheid-era crimes as a friend of the court. This was after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, admitted the foundation as 'amicus curiae' in the case that was brought by families of the victims who were killed and disappeared during the apartheid years. The families filed the court application earlier this year, seeking constitutional damages for political interference and suppression of the cases from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The families want the government to pay R165 million for constitutional damage and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a commission of inquiry into political interference, which halted the investigations and prosecutions of the perpetrators. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The litigation is also supported by the Foundation for Human Rights as co-applicants. The TRC was set up in 1996. Its mission was to expose and record apartheid-era crimes and allow some of those responsible to confess their role, including members of the apartheid government's state security forces who were implicated in many killings. Some were granted amnesty from prosecution, but thousands were denied it, and others did not come forward. The commission released the first five volumes of its final report in October 1998, and the remaining two volumes were released in March 2003. The cases were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation and prosecution. However, to date, only a handful of cases have been followed up. HSF, said, as amicus curiae, will make submissions highlighting the right to truth, a right borne not only by the families of the victims, but by the South African public at large. In its application filed in March, the foundation highlighted it would present its argument and offer information on the matter. The foundation said it would also highlight the importance of completing the work of the TRC and demonstrate that it is necessary to give effect, 'inter alia', to the public's right to the truth and the realisation of constitutional ideals around reconciliation and the recognition of the injustices of the past. The foundation said it believes this would be achieved through the investigation and prosecution of those accused of apartheid-era crimes, as well as the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the failure of the government to investigate and prosecute these crimes. 'HSF also emphasises the duty incumbent upon domestic courts to ensure the prosecution of crimes against humanity, including apartheid,' read the statement. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa, who withdrew opposition to the litigation in February, in April announced he was in the process of establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to establish whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation or prosecution of the crimes referred by TRC to the NPA. The establishment of the commission is the outcome of settlement discussions in a court application.
