THOUSANDS of households have just days left to apply for a free £125 one-off payment to help with everyday costs.
The cash comes via the latest tranche of the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million.
The fund was originally launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay for everyday essential costs such as energy and food and has been extended multiple times.
Each local council in England has been given a share of the £421million pot so what you are entitled to depends on where you live.
But, in most cases, the support is being given to households on a low income or benefits.
Test Valley Borough Council is offering residents struggling with housing costs a one-off payment worth £125 to help pay for energy and water bills, food and other essentials.
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But you only have until March 20 to apply, after which the fund will close.
Who is eligible and how can I apply?
You don't have to be receiving Universal Credit or any other benefits to qualify for the help, but you have to be a resident living in the borough.
You will need to be paying for the home you are living in and prove to Test Valley Borough Council that you are struggling to afford payments.
You can do this by uploading a proof of ID and your rent liability and/or accommodation costs.
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This can be a tenancy agreement or rent statement.
If you are a social housing tenant with a mobile app, you can send a screenshot, but it has to include your name and address.
To apply for the grant you just have to complete the online application form on the council's website.
The scheme opened on March 3 and closes before March 21.
You will hear whether your application has been successful within 28 days of making it.
The £125 payment will then be made within 28 days of you being notified of your successful application.
The grant will be paid directly into your bank account, or potentially your landlord who can transfer it to you.
What about if I don't live in Test Valley?
You can still get help if you live outside of Test Valley, but what you are entitled to could be different.
Each council has been given varying amounts from the latest £421million HSF pot and is distributing it differently too.
Some councils are handing out vouchers while others are transferring money directly into people's bank accounts.
Some authorities have already expended their share of money and so you won't be able to apply for help in some cases.
Thousands of residents in Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire, are being issued with payments worth up to £200.
Meanwhile, households in Camden, London, can get a whopping £500 paid direct into their bank account if they are in severe financial hardship.
All councils who have money remaining to allocate from the latest HSF pot have to pay it to residents by March 31 so the deadline to apply is looming.
But, in February, the government announced it is extending the HSF until March 2024.
You should contact your local council if you think you could be in line for help through the latest funding.
If you don't know what council area you fall under, you just have to use the government's council locator tool.
What other schemes are closing this month?
Other government support is ending this month on top of the latest tranche of HSF.
This includes the Cold Weather payment scheme which closes on March 31.
Under the scheme, you receive £25 for every seven-day period where temperatures are below zero.
You qualify for the payment if you're receiving certain benefits, including:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Plus, the deadline for claiming the Winter Fuel Allowance is also March 31.
You qualify for the payment if you were born on or before September 25, 1956, and you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 19 to 25, 2022.
But there's other criteria involved too. You should check out the government's website for more details.
The Warm Home Discount is also ending this month too – it's a £150 one off payment towards your energy bills paid to eligible households between October and March each year.
There are different ways to qualify for the scheme, but if you live in England and Wales you have to either:
- be receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- be on a low income and have high energy costs
Beyond March 31, you can still get help with energy bills if you are struggling with payments.
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A number of energy providers, including British Gas, E.On and EDF, offer grants worth up to £1,500.
You should contact yours if you are finding it hard to keep up with payments.
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