Depending on their location, households across the UK could be in line for up to £500. This comes as thousands may still qualify for free payments and other forms of assistance through the Household Support Fund (HSF) – but they only have until the end of September to claim it.
The HSF, a cost of living aid provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) but distributed by local councils, is designed for those deemed vulnerable and unable to afford essentials like energy, water bills, and food.
However, the level of support varies as each council conducts its own assessment to determine how best to apply it. This means that while some councils may offer cash payments worth hundreds, others may only provide food vouchers or other discounts.
For instance, Torbay Council is offering payments between £250 and £500 to low-income residents who don’t receive any welfare benefits and have children who receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Due to the local nature of the HSF, eligibility will also vary with each council adding their own qualifiers, so it’s crucial to contact your local council to find out what support is available through the HSF and what you could potentially claim.
The HSF was initially launched in October 2021 and has been extended several times since then. However, households don’t have much time left to make a claim for any support they might be eligible for.
Applications for the HSF can only be submitted until September 30, and it remains uncertain whether there will be an extension to the scheme. Therefore, this could be your final opportunity. If you’re unsure about your local council or how to reach them, you can utilise the finder tool on GOV.UK.
Simply input your postcode and you’ll be given a link to your local council’s website where you can discover more about their plans for distributing the HSF in your area.
