Latest news with #vulnerablehouseholds
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit have days left to apply for free £300 vouchers this month – check if you're eligible
THOUSANDS of families on Universal Credit can claim up to £300 this month. This leg-up comes from the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) - a huge £742 million fund going straight to councils across England. 2 The HSF is a government-backed scheme designed to help vulnerable households with essentials like food, energy bills and other living costs. Each local council is given the freedom to decide how to distribute the money, making sure it directly helps the people who need it most in their area. City of Doncaster Council is distributing a one‑off cash payment through HSF. Those typically eligible for this support are already receiving one of the following: Housing benefit Local Council Tax Reduction Universal Credit which includes the housing element Means-tested free school meals Households on Universal Credit can receive food vouchers worth £100 if they have one dependent child. Those with two children will pick up £200, while households with three or more children will be given £300 to help cover food costs. City of Doncaster Council defines a dependent child as one for whom you receive Child Benefit. Besides families with children, other eligible households - including those without children - can receive £100 to help cover energy bills. The council is also allocating £150,000 towards local food banks and its hygiene bank. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now An additional £100,000 will boost community hubs, helping vulnerable households right in the community. Meanwhile, a huge £400,000 is now earmarked for the updated Local Assistance Scheme. How can people get the payment? Those who have received help from the Household Support Fund in the past - and still meet the criteria - will not need to apply. Instead, the payment will automatically hit their bank accounts. But they will need to contact the council if their bank details have changed. Those previously paid by cheque will receive the payment by cheque - unless they provide the council with their bank details. Others will need to apply between now and July. Click here to claim a Household Support Fund payment. Can those who live outside Doncaster claim support? Yes, councils throughout the country are actively assisting families through the Household Support Fund scheme. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is giving thousands of families a helping hand - offering free washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 towards the cost of energy. Those in Leeds can get payments of up to £150. By using the government's council locator tool, it's easy to find out which local authorities are offering support and the eligibility criteria. 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 £742million 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. The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended. The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026. 2
The Sun
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Millions of families on Universal Credit can claim £1,000 summer cost of living cash now – check if you qualify
MILLIONS of hard-up families can tap into financial help worth hundreds of pounds to ease the burden of extra costs over the summer holidays. Every council in England has cash to dole out to support residents who are struggling to afford essentials with the government's Household Support Fund. 1 The £742million scheme hands councils up and down the country to give households in need. Each local authority gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households. The voucher or grant amounts vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you. There are different criteria for applications too. But often councils specify that you will need to be in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit. The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills. Residents are advised to check their local council's website or social media for updates. Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply. Here ares some of the schemes currently open and accepting appilcations from those on Universal Credit.. Birmingham Hard-up households in Birmingham can get up to £200 payments through the latest round of the fund. Applications are opening at some point in June so keep an eye on the council website. 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. Calderdale Residents in Calderdale in need can get a up to two awards for £85 each: One between now and 30th September 2025, and; One between 1st October 2025 and 31st March 2026. Anyone can apply including those on Universal Credit online at the council website. But you'll need to provide your last two bank statements for yourself and your partner for all accounts held to get the payments. You'll also need to be liable for paying council tax in the area. Cheshire West Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200 for those eligible. Support ranges from vouchers to put towards food costs to cash for energy bills and help with other essentials. It will be available to residents receiving either housing benefit or a council tax reduction which is accessible to those on a low income or benefits including Universal Credit. You can apply through its online portal for cost of living support. But, you can only make one application in a six month period and applications must be made per household, so partners cannot submit two separate claims. Doncaster The city council will be providing one-off payments worth up to £300 to residents on selected benefits, including Universal Credit. You'll also be eligible if you receive: Housing benefit Local Council Tax Reduction Means-tested free school meals. As part of the support, families can get £100 vouchers towards the cost of food if they have one dependent child. Households with two dependent children will get £200, while families with three or more will get £300. Other eligible households - including those without children - can get £100 towards the cost of energy bills. Households that haven't received a payment previously will need to submit an application. You can do that using the link here. Hull Eligible pensioners will be given £200 to help them out after the Government made cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment. Low income families will also be eligible for a £40 school uniform grant, as well as food vouchers in school holidays for those eligible for school meal Hull City Council has not yet opened applications for payments, but updates will be posted on the council's website. Leeds Struggling families in Leeds can get payments of up to £150. All claimants must be in receipt of Council Tax Support, a scheme where those on a low income or benefits including Universal Credit can get money off the bill. The council said those who are eligible for the support will receive the payment in the autumn and winter. 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 North Somerset North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. This will be automatically given to families eligible for free school meals. The council is also distributing £50 food vouchers to support other vulnerable residents, including: Those on council tax reduction (CTR) which can be accessed through those on benefits including UC Pensioners People with severe mental impairments Care leavers Housing benefit claimants not already receiving CTR. Portsmouth Residents in Portsmouth in financial hardship and struggling to afford essentials, can apply for an exceptional hardship payment worth up to £1,000 as part of the Household Support Fund. Those on Universal Credit and other benefits can apply but you don't need to be. However the city is closing applications in just days on June 12 so you'll need to move quickly. You'll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts. You also need to tell what you've done 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. Households deemed to be in the highest level of need can be awarded a further £200 taking the total payment up to £1,000. Apply online at the Portsmouth city council website. Thousands of residents in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks. Households containing children eligible for free school meals are eligible. Care levers will also be receiving a voucher payment of £125. For most care leavers this voucher will be sent to them by the Post Office, with some others being provided directly by the Leaving Care Team. Vouchers will be sent in July and December 2025 and will need to be cashed by the end of September 2025, and January 2026. Redcar & Cleveland Households in Redcar & Cleveland can now apply for support worth up to £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. Families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. You'll need to be below earning limits as follows: £24,570 or less (for a single adult with no children) £31,000 or less (for all other households) You must also have no savings, unless you're of state pension age – in which case you can have up to £5,000. You can be on Universal Credit but at least one person in your household must meet ONE of the following: Be of state pension age Have a long-term diagnosed health condition or be registered disabled Have a child under four Be in receipt of DWP benefits like Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, PIP or Disability Living Allowance Be receiving support from services such as food banks, Citizens Advice, Age UK, mental health or housing support, or your GP's social prescribing team Windsor and Maidenhead Households in the Royal borough can get payments of up to £150 to ease pressures. However, the council isn't accepting applications directly instead you'll need to contact its partners. The overarching partner is Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB) and should be the first port of call for residents needing support. What if my area isn't on the list? Some councils have very limited application windows for support. If you don't see your council on the list, visit their website and look for information on the Household Support Fund. If there is a date that applications open, make a calendar note and apply as soon as it opens. Some councils will close for applications as soon as cash is distributed - in some cases this can be on the very same day that applications open. Other councils automatically give cash to those in receipt of certain benefits such as free school meals or coucil tax support. Check the Household Support Fund pages on your local council website to find details of what's 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.
