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Scottish Sun
01-08-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
All the one-off benefit payments due before the end of the year including families and people over State Pension age
Scroll to see how much extra you'll for Christmas CASHING IN All the one-off benefit payments due before the end of the year including families and people over State Pension age MILLIONS receiving benefits are in line for one-off boosts to help ease the pain on budgets at certain pressure points over the coming months. As long as you are claiming qualifying benefits, you could receive several cash injections before the end of the year, 1 Those receiving benefits can get get extra help over the coming months Credit: PA Here are all the one-off payments on the cards... Household Support Fund You can get help with the cost of living through the Household Support Fund. The pot is worth £421 million and distributed by local councils. Each authority has different qualifying criteria and gives support in different ways and for different amounts. It means that what you are able to apply for depends on where you live, as well as your financial situation. The money is usually given as cash transfer or through shopping or food vouchers. For example, in some parts of the country such as Portsmouth you can get as much as £1,000. Whereas households in other areas including Doncaster may be more likely to get up to £300 to support with gas, electricity and food costs. To find out, you'll need to look what your council offers and apply directly. DWP Christmas bonus Thousands of households on benefits receive a tax-free £10 cash boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The tax-free £10 payment is paid to eligible households usually during the first full week of December. To qualify for the payment you must be present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar. Households will also need to claim at least one of the 20 qualifying benefits within the same period. The bonus is for those who receive Universal Credit plus mone of the qualifying benefits. To claim your part of the Christmas cash, you'll need to be claiming at least one of the following DWP's benefits: Armed Forces Independence Payment Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Child Disability Payment Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes) Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim) Disability Living Allowance Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers) Mobility Supplement Pension Credit - the guarantee element Personal Independence Payment (PIP) State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit) Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected) Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes) War Disablement Pension at State Pension age War Widow's Pension Widowed Mother's Allowance Widowed Parent's Allowance Widow's Pension If you're part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or live together, you'll both get the cash bonus - as long as you both are eligible. If you or your partner do not get one of the above qualifying benefits, then they could still get the bonus if they are over the state pension age by the end of the qualifying week. Winter Fuel payment The Winter Fuel Payment is made every year to help cover the cost of energy over the colder months. It has been changed in recent months so that fewer can claim. However, the cash boost, worth up to £300, is still valuable for those who quality - particularly those on Pension Credit. The cash is usually paid in November and December, with some made up until the end of January the following year. If you haven't got your payment by then, you need to call the office that pays your benefits. Households eligible for the payment are usually told via a letter sent in October or November each year. If you think you meet the criteria, but don't automatically get the winter fuel payment, you will have to apply on the government's website. The Child Winter Heating Assistance If you're based in Scotland, you could receive a child winter heating assistance payment of £255.80. You get child winter heating payment for a child or young person under 19 who lives in Scotland and who is entitled to: the highest rate of the care component of child disability payment (CDP) or disability living allowance (DLA), or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) or personal independence payment (PIP). They must be entitled to the relevant disability benefit during the 'qualifying week', which is the week beginning on the third Monday in September (w/c Septmber 15 in 2025). You do not have to make a claim for the payment, but it should be paid by Social Security Scotland, usually in November. If you think you're entitled but have not received payment by the end of December, you should contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. Warm Home Discount The Warm Home Discount is an automatic £150 discount off energy bills. As the money is a discount, there is no money paid to you, but you'll get the payment automatically if your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and you qualify. You'll have to be in receipt of one of the following benefits to qualify for one of the payments: If you don't claim any of the above benefits, you won't be eligible for the payment. Cold Weather payment Cold weather payments are dished out when temperatures are recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below, on average, for seven consecutive days between November 1 and March 31. Eligible Brits are then given extra money to help heat their homes. You get £25 for each seven-day period where the weather is below zero Celsius on average during this time frame. You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by popping your postcode into the government's tool on its website. You'll need to be on certain benefits to qualify, which are: Pension credit Income support Income-based jobseeker's allowance Income-related employment and support allowance Universal Credit Support for mortgage interest Those in Scotland don't get cold weather payments but may be able to receive a winter heating payment instead. Student maintenance payments loans Student maintenance loans are paid to university students to help cover living costs such as rent. They are usually paid at the start of each new term, so you typically receive three payments a year. Maintenance Loans are paid straight into your student bank account in three (almost) equal instalments throughout the year. The amount you will receive depends on where in the UK you're from, whether you'll be living at home or not, your household income and how long you're studying for. The average Maintenance Loan is approximately £6,116 a year.
Scottish Sun
27-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of households can now claim £150 cost of living help – but you'll need to be quick
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of families can now apply for cost of living help worth up to £150. Hard-up households can get access to the cash through the Household Support Fund (HSF). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Thousands of families can apply for cost of living help worth up to £150 Credit: Getty The scheme has been extended several times, with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Every council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can give it to residents who are struggling. How the money is paid depends on your council but it could come in the form of free cash, vouchers or white goods. Whether you are eligible also varies depending on where you live but the help is usually available to those who are on a low income or benefits. Households in Portsmouth can now apply for the support, which is worth up to £150. The money is available to help residents most in need with everyday essentials including food and energy bills. It is also designed to help prevent people falling into, or further into, financial crisis. Households with the following postcodes can now apply: PO1 to PO6, PO7 5AT, PO7 5AU, PO7 5AX, PO7 5AY, PO7 5AZ, PO7 5BA, PO7 5BS, PO7 5BT or PO7 5BU. The council is giving eligible families a £50 supermarket voucher per child. That means if you have three children then you will receive £150. Families with children in reception to year 11 will get the vouchers automatically from their schools, as in the previous schemes. 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. You don't need to apply if your child is on the school register and already receives benefits-related free school meals. But other families can still apply for the vouchers. You can complete an application if you are on a low income and have children aged between zero and 19 who do not qualify for free school meals or if you or your partner are at least 20 weeks pregnant. For more information and to apply online visit If you can't complete the online application or upload proof of your situation, you can apply by calling 023 9268 8010. You need to submit your application by 12 noon on September 25. But you should apply as soon as possible as due to limited funding, the scheme may close early if all the funds have been given out. Which other councils are also offering support? Other councils are also offering support to vulnerable households. Among them is Sutton, which is offering residents support worth up to £150. To be eligible for the cash you must live in the borough of Sutton and have less than £3,000 in your bank account. Families in Middlesbrough can also apply for help with their energy bills, food and essential costs, such as council tax. To qualify for the support they need to live in Middlesbrough and have children who are eligible for income-related free school meals. Meanwhile, North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers of up to £100 to those in need. Plus, families living in Worcestershire can apply to get cost of living cash worth £500. At the same time, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. Keep an eye on your local council's website or social media channels to avoid missing out. 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
26-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Families on benefits can apply now to get up to £120 in free cost of living cash – 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 can now apply for cost of living cash worth up to £120. Cash-strapped families can get access to the money through the Household Support Fund (HSF). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Thousands of families can apply for free cash worth up to £120 Credit: Alamy The scheme has been extended several times, with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Every council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can give it to residents in need. Exactly how the money will be paid depends on your council but it could come in the form of free cash, vouchers or white goods. Eligibility criteria also varies depending on where you live but the help is usually available to those on benefits or a low income. Households in Middlesbrough can now apply for the support, which is worth up to £120. The money is available to help residents with energy bills, food and essential costs, such as council tax. To qualify for the support you must live at a property in Middlesbrough and be responsible for paying the council tax, rent or a mortgage. The support is being rolled out in stages to different types of residents in need. Households who get benefits and have children can now apply. Families with children who receive free school meals were automatically sent a voucher before July 9. But the cash is also available to families with a child who receives income-related free school meals and: Is aged under five, if another child in the household is eligible for free school meals. Goes to a school outside of Middlesbrough but lives in Middlesbrough. You can also apply if your child is not eligible for income-related free school meals but your household gets one of the following benefits: Council Tax Reduction Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit 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. Eligible households will receive a voucher for £60 per child. This means that if you have two children you could be given £120. To apply visit It can take up to 21 working days for the council to process applications, so apply now to avoid the payment being delayed. Which other councils are also offering support? Other councils have also announced the details of their schemes. Among them is Sutton, which is offering residents support worth up to £150. To qualify for the cash you must live in the borough of Sutton and have less than £3,000 in your bank account. Meanwhile, North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers of up to £100 to those in need. Plus, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. At the same time, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. Keep an eye on your local council's website or social media channels to avoid missing out. 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
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
All the cost of living vouchers and help families could claim this summer worth £1,000s
From feeding the kids to cheaper mobile and broadband, there are lots of ways to get help with your bills EXTRA HELP All the cost of living vouchers and help families could claim this summer worth £1,000s Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH the cost of living still high in the UK, many families will be struggling to make ends meet. However, there are lots of ways to get financial help over the summer months. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 There are several grants available to people on benefits like Universal Credit this summer Credit: Alamy If you're wondering about whether you're eligible for financial help, charity Turn2us provides an online tool where you can check your eligibility for more than 1,400 grants. From help with your energy bills to feeding your family over the school holidays, we've rounded up all the schemes you can benefit from if you're feeling the summer fpinch. Household Support Fund The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government-backed scheme that gives financial help to families struggling to afford essential living costs. It provides extra cash for food, energy bills and other essentials like school uniforms and kitchen appliances. The £742-million fund is distributed among councils across England, with each council given the freedom to decide how to use the money. Depending on where you live, you could be able to get up to £500 payments this summer through the fund. Households in Worcestershire can get up to £500 in cost of living cash this summer, but you'll need to be earning less than £31,000, or £24,570 if you're a single adult with no children. Birmingham households can apply for payments of up to £200 this month, intended to help with energy, grocery and water costs. City of Doncaster Council is also distributing one-off cash payments of up to £300 in June to families with dependent children, to help cover food costs. The council defines a dependent child as one for whom you receive Child Benefit. Doncaster residents could also get £100 to help cover energy bills. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now Meanwhile, some councils, such as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Enfield Council, are giving hard-up residents free white goods or help towards the cost of them. Other areas that have schemes open now include Calderdale, Cheshire West, Hull, Leeds, North Somerset and Reading. The funding given to councils varies by location, so you should check the HSF section of your local council's website to see what you can get and how your council will pay you. Councils normally specify that you need to be in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit in order to be eligible. Some councils have very limited windows to apply for the support, so if there is a date that applications open, be sure to make a calendar note and apply as soon as it opens. Social tariffs If you're a pensioner or on benefits, you could save hundreds of pounds on your internet and phone bills by signing up for social tariffs. These are discounted broadband and mobile packages offering by some providers to those receiving certain government benefits. They also often come with no exit fees, although you should check the supplier's terms and conditions. Virgin Media O2 is offering several social tariffs from as low as £10 for its Essential Plan mobile phone tariff with 10GB of data, unlimited texts and minutes. The regulator Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband and mobile phone tariffs. Child Benefit Child Benefit is worth up to £1,354 a year for your first child and up to £897 for each additional child. However, payments automatically stop on August 31 or after your child has turned 16 - but you can renew your claim if your child is continuing in further education. If you're a parent of a child aged 16 to 19, you should expect to receive a letter from the taxman this summer reminding you to extend your Child Benefit claim. You can receive the payment up until your child is 19, as long as they're enrolled in an apprenticeship programme or one of the following education schemes: A levels or similar, for example, International Baccalaureate T levels Scottish Highers NVQs and most vocational qualifications up to level 3 Home education - if it started either before your child turned 16 or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs Study programmes in England A pre-apprenticeship Charity grants Aside from government-funded support, many charities around the UK offer grants to help struggling families. Children's charity Buttle UK offers grants worth up to £2,000, with support packages including money for essential items and help for children's emotional, social and educational needs. Family Fund, meanwhile, supports families raising disabled or seriously ill kids, and provide grants for things like white goods, bedding and furniture. Charity Glasspool also provides grants to help people buy white goods, bedding, and items for children and babies. There are no specific eligibility requests for this charity, but it says it expects anyone applying to have already made an application for local welfare schemes. Kids eat free deals A huge range of popular restaurants and cafés around the country offer a helping hand to families who may struggle to afford to feed their kids over the summer holidays. Asda's 'Kids Eat for £1' deal runs in more than 200 of the supermarket's cafés all year round, not just during school holidays. And unlike a lot of other deals, you don't need to buy an adult meal to qualify. Morrisons cafés offer families a free kids' meal all day with any adult meal over £5. Restaurants such as Bill's and Bella Italia are also known to offer free or discounted meals for kids, perfect for over the summer holidays. If you're struggling to buy food, you may also be able to get a referral to a food bank. You can ask about this at your nearest Citizens Advice, through your local council or various charities. Free kids clubs Low income families can get help from their local council through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. It can be used to sign children up to sports, music and arts clubs, and it also offers them a nutritious meal each day for free. The help on offer varies by council but families who receive free school meals are usually eligible. In some areas you can get holiday club places for the equivalent of at least four hours a day. You should contact your local authority to see what's available, whether you're eligible and how to apply. Help with NHS prescriptions You can get help with NHS costs like prescriptions, dental care and sight tests through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). It's means-tested, so how much help you get will depend on your weekly income and essential outgoings, as well as your savings. To apply, you'll need to complete an HC1 form, which can be done online or by post. 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
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Families on Universal Credit have just 24 hours to get up to £1,000 in free cost of living cash payments
Scroll to see how to apply for the cash HELPING HAND Families on Universal Credit have just 24 hours to get up to £1,000 in free cost of living cash payments Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STRUGGLING households could bag cost of living payments worth up to £1,000 - but need to act fast. There are just hours left for thousands to apply for cash that could act as a financial lifeline. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Thousands could get payments up to £1,000 Credit: PA The payments are from the government's £742million Household Support Fund being distributed by councils in England. Local authorities have until next year to dish out their share of the fund - but once the cash is gone, it's gone. And many councils are already handing out the support through cash or vouchers with set windows for applications. Residents in Portsmouth in financial hardship now have until 12pm tomorrow (June 12) to apply for an exceptional hardship payment worth up to £1,000. People on Universal Credit and other benefits can apply but you don't need to be. And applications may also close early if the funds have been used up. To qualify for the cash, you'll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts. You also need to tell authorities what you've tried to do to improve your financial situation and why you need help. The exact amount you receive depends on household size -the maximum amount is for six or more of £800. Whereas one person gets £350, two people £420, three people £500, four people 600, and five people £700. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Households deemed to be in the highest level of need can be awarded a further £200 taking total payments up to £1,000. To apply, visit the website. Can I get help if I live outside Portsmouth? Cash from the Household Support Fund is available to households battling financial pressures across England. But what exactly you get will depend on your circumstances and where you live. For example, the City of Doncaster Council is giving out up to £300 payments to families on Universal Credit. And households in Middlesbrough can get vouchers worth up to £120. The Household Support Fund was set up to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. But, each council sets its own eligibility criteria meaning whether you qualify for help varies from one postcode to the next. Funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or struggling to pay for essentials. Many councils require you to be on certain benefits to qualify. But crucially, any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments. The type of help on offer varies from supermarket vouchers to direct cash payments into your bank account. Some councils are allocating their share of the fund to community groups and charities who you have to get in touch with. If you're on benefits, have limited savings, or are struggling to cover food and energy bills, it's worth seeing if you're eligible for help. Get in touch with your local council to see what exactly is on offer and how to apply. 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.
