DWP replace on £600 price of dwelling funds explaining apply
The Household Support Fund, initially set to wrap up on September 30, has been given a new lease of life until the spring season. In England, Councils will get their hands on a slice of £421 million to dish out to residents in tough spots, while councils across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are eyeing up an additional £79 million to play with.
Pensioners that apply for a grant successfully can use that cash to cushion the blow from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ move to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment.
This week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explained how Brits can qualify and contact local councils for a grant to keep those bills at bay. Each council gets to call the shots on how they divvy up their stash of the fund, with awards that could be anything from £125 to a sweet £600. Most are dishing out cold, hard cash grants or vouchers.
Earlier this week, Rachel Reeves, blamed the decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment on the last Conservative government which she said had left a £22billion black hole in the nation’s finances. Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living.”
Who will be eligible for the HSF and how do I apply?
Councils decide who to distribute their share of the HSF. As a result, whether you qualify and how much you get depends on where you live. However, in most cases you will be eligible if you are on benefits, classed as vulnerable or have limited savings.
You may not be able to get help for the new round if you have previously received support from the HSF. If you are eligible, you may be contacted by your local council telling you what the next steps are to receiving any help.
(Image: Getty)
You may also have to actively apply via your local authority’s website. Most councils probably won’t have decided their eligibility criteria yet as the Government has only just announced the HSF extension.
Councils also get to decide how much they offer to each household and when to open their share of the fund. You can find your local council by using the Government’s “Find your local council” tool on its website.
