Universal Credit households can get cost of living boost worth over £60 in weeks
Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to help with energy bills, food and other essential costs and will be "releasing" it in phases over the coming few months
Households claiming Universal Credit can get free vouchers worth over £60 to help with the cost of living in the next few weeks.
The help comes from the Government's Household Support Fund scheme. Running since 2021 and managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the scheme has given local councils pots of cash to support struggling households in their area.
Each authority decides how it wants to spend the money, and help can range from free cash payments to supermarket vouchers.
Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to help with energy bills, food and other essential costs and will be "releasing" it in phases over the coming few months.
From May, households that do not claim any DWP benefits - including Housing Benefit - can apply for a £100 voucher. The entire payment - or just part of it - can be paid directly into your Council Tax account, which can help "free up" money to spend on other things such as energy and food.
From July, households with children who meet the free school meals eligibility criteria will also get vouchers worth £60 per child. If you have two children, this means you could receive £120. The council will send vouchers automatically, based on schools' records.
Households can also apply for one of these vouchers through the council's website if they don't get free school meals, but are claiming one of the following benefits:
Council Tax Reduction
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
From November, households on benefits without children can apply for a £45 voucher if they are single, or a £55 voucher if they are in a couple.
Older households in Middlesbrough not eligible for Winter Fuel Payments also qualify for free £100 payment this winter. Letters will be sent to households who may be eligible in November with applications opening in the same month. More details and updates on Middlesbrough Council's cost of living scheme will be shared over the coming few months.
You cannot claim this support if you do not live in Middlesbrough. However, you are able to claim help from your local council through their own Household Support Fund scheme. Due to this system, it means it can be a postcode lottery for the support you can get.
Local councils have started to share what help they will offer for this year's Household Support Fund which is running until March 2026.
Each council's website details its support offerings alongside its eligibility criteria. Usually, it has a separate cost of living tab that details the help on offer. Each council will also have a different application process for the scheme. Some ask you to apply online, while others ask you to apply over the phone. Some councils are also reaching out to those eligible directly
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