Latest news with #HouseholdSupportFund
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Six ways to get the most out of your Universal Credit claim – including £1,900 in boosted cash
We reveal below how you can claim benefits if you haven't already TO YOUR CREDIT Six ways to get the most out of your Universal Credit claim – including £1,900 in boosted cash Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit could be missing out on extra free cash to cover the cost of living. Those on the benefit qualify for extra support that can be worth hundreds of extra pounds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 We reveal below some of the extra help you can get if you're on Universal Credit Credit: Alamy From help via the Household Support Fund (HSF) to a one-off payment for new parents, here's all the help you can get. Household Support Fund - £1,000 The Household Support Fund is a giant pot of cash worth £742million that's been shared between councils in England. Local authorities then have to decide how to distribute their share of the fund, whether that be through direct payments, vouchers or more. Eligibility criteria varies from area to area too, however in lots of cases you'll receive help if you're on benefits like Universal Credit. Read more on Universal Credit RENT SUPPORT Thousands of renters on benefits can get £600 of help with little-known scheme For example, residents in Portsmouth on Universal Credit struggling to afford essentials can apply for payments worth up to £1,000. Households in Calderdale can also get two awards worth £85 each between now and March 31, 2026. Find out what help is on offer in your area by speaking to your local council. You can find your local council via Discounted transport and help with job applications - £150 Those on Universal Credit can get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card, cutting public transport costs by 50%. The card is free but you'll need to have been claiming Universal Credit for up to 12 months to apply. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence You can apply for one of the cards at your local JobCentre which you can find via There's also the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover costs like: Travel to interviews Job training (up to £150) Uniforms, work tools, and childcare One-off maternity payment - £500 New mums on Universal Credit can bag themselves £500 in free cash through the Sure Start Maternity Grant. The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a child and paid to those in England and Wales. You usually qualify if you're pregnant with your first child or are expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already. Find out more about the grant here - Council tax support - £190 You might be able to get a council tax reduction if you're on benefits including Universal Credit. In some cases, your monthly bill might be slashed by 100%. Each council runs its own scheme so there's no set rule across England. You can find out more via and enter your postcode to find your local council. The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2025/26 is £2,280 a year. Divided by 12 months of the year, that means you could save £190 a month based on a 100% discount. Help to Start - £25 Help to Save is a special savings account for those on Universal Credit who earned £1 or more in their last assessment period. The Government gives you a tax-free 50% bonus on whatever you save. You can save between £1 and £50 into a Help to Save account each month and keep one open for up to four years. Bonuses are paid at the end of the second and fourth year and are worth up to £1,200 in total. Per month that's £25. Healthy Start - £36 The Healthy Start scheme provides prepaid cards to buy essentials like milk, fruit, and vegetables. It's for families expecting a baby or that already have children under four and on certain benefits like Universal Credit. You could get up to £442 a year, depending on your circumstances, equating to around £36 a month. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Six ways to get the most out of your Universal Credit claim – including £1,900 in boosted cash
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit could be missing out on extra free cash to cover the cost of living. Those on the benefit qualify for extra support that can be worth hundreds of extra pounds. 1 From help via the Household Support Fund (HSF) to a one-off payment for new parents, here's all the help you can get. Household Support Fund - £1,000 The Household Support Fund is a giant pot of cash worth £742million that's been shared between councils in England. Local authorities then have to decide how to distribute their share of the fund, whether that be through direct payments, vouchers or more. Eligibility criteria varies from area to area too, however in lots of cases you'll receive help if you're on benefits like Universal Credit. For example, residents in Portsmouth on Universal Credit struggling to afford essentials can apply for payments worth up to £1,000. Households in Calderdale can also get two awards worth £85 each between now and March 31, 2026. Find out what help is on offer in your area by speaking to your local council. You can find your local council via Discounted transport and help with job applications - £150 Those on Universal Credit can get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card, cutting public transport costs by 50%. The card is free but you'll need to have been claiming Universal Credit for up to 12 months to apply. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence You can apply for one of the cards at your local JobCentre which you can find via There's also the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover costs like: Travel to interviews Job training (up to £150) Uniforms, work tools, and childcare One-off maternity payment - £500 New mums on Universal Credit can bag themselves £500 in free cash through the Sure Start Maternity Grant. The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a child and paid to those in England and Wales. You usually qualify if you're pregnant with your first child or are expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already. Find out more about the grant here - Council tax support - £190 You might be able to get a council tax reduction if you're on benefits including Universal Credit. In some cases, your monthly bill might be slashed by 100%. Each council runs its own scheme so there's no set rule across England. You can find out more via and enter your postcode to find your local council. The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2025/26 is £2,280 a year. Divided by 12 months of the year, that means you could save £190 a month based on a 100% discount. Help to Start - £25 Help to Save is a special savings account for those on Universal Credit who earned £1 or more in their last assessment period. The Government gives you a tax-free 50% bonus on whatever you save. You can save between £1 and £50 into a Help to Save account each month and keep one open for up to four years. Bonuses are paid at the end of the second and fourth year and are worth up to £1,200 in total. Per month that's £25. Healthy Start - £36 The Healthy Start scheme provides prepaid cards to buy essentials like milk, fruit, and vegetables. It's for families expecting a baby or that already have children under four and on certain benefits like Universal Credit. You could get up to £442 a year, depending on your circumstances, equating to around £36 a month. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. .
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer
We reveal how you can find out what help you're eligible for below HELPING HAND All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS can get free white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer. Essential appliances aren't cheap to come by, with Which? estimating the average price of a fridge freezer is around £800. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households can get help covering the cost of white goods through a giant fund Credit: Alamy But you might be able to get help with the up front costs through a giant government fund. The Household Support Fund is worth £742million and has been distributed between councils in England. Further money has been issued to local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What help you can get and whether you qualify for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria. However, in most cases you will be in line for support if you are on a low income, benefits or vulnerable. Some areas are giving hard-up residents free white goods or help towards the cost of them too. We've rounded up some of the councils offering residents help with the cost of essential household appliances. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is offering thousands of hard-up households help. Some can get help covering the cost of white goods such as washing machines and fridges, and even beds for children. The council wouldn't say how much the average price of a white good someone will receive might be. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Households requesting help must be referred to the council by someone like children's services, adult services or Age UK. You'll need to be of limited income to be referred. The criteria you must meet is: Single adult in work: Your household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance) Two or more adults in work: Your household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance) Your household savings must be under £2,000 If you're a pensioner, you can have savings up to £16,000 If you have received help towards the cost of white goods from Blackburn with Darwen Council in the last 12 months, you cannot get help in this latest round. More details on the scheme and how to apply are here - Isle of Wight Council Isle of Wight Council is distributing funding to local organisations to help residents pay for energy-efficient white goods like ovens and fridges. That means if you want help you will have to apply via either your local town or parish council, schools or colleges or a local charity. If you are on a low income or benefits, it's worth contacting the Isle of Wight council to see if you qualify for help. The number to contact is 01983 823644. Enfield Council Enfield Council is offering free white goods to households in need, with home delivery included. Those who qualify for help will be contacted by a supplier who will arrange for any appliances to be installed. You will need to prove you're struggling financially to apply though. To apply, you must: live in the borough of Enfield have an annual household net income of less than £40,000 have less than £1,000 in savings To find out more and apply, visit: Southend-on-Sea City Council Southend-on-Sea City Council is open for applications from hard-up residents - and households can get white goods. Households can also apply for help covering the costs of beds, bedding and clothing. You can apply for help if you're 16 or over, live in the Essex area, are on a low income and fit any one of a number of criteria. For example, one of these criteria is that you need help to ease "exceptional pressures" on yourself and your family. Another is that you cannot meet your immediate short-term needs because of an emergency like a fire or flood in your home. For more details and to apply, visit Barking and Dagenham Council Barking and Dagenham Council is distributing support to residents through a number of means including help towards the cost of white goods. The council has said help will only be given to those who need an appliance due to an emergency. To be eligible you need to be living in the borough and struggling with rising living costs like food and energy bills. You also need to prove you have previously taken steps to boost your income by claiming council tax support, housing benefit, Universal Credit or another benefit. More details can be found via What to do if you live outside these areas If you don't live in one of the above areas, check your local council's website to see what help you can get. You might not be able to get help covering the cost of white goods but may be eligible for other help. For example, Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those on benefits. Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit. You can find what council area you fall under via 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. 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. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer
HOUSEHOLDS can get free white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer. Essential appliances aren't cheap to come by, with Which? estimating the average price of a fridge freezer is around £800. 1 But you might be able to get help with the up front costs through a giant government fund. The Household Support Fund is worth £742million and has been distributed between councils in England. Further money has been issued to local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What help you can get and whether you qualify for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria. However, in most cases you will be in line for support if you are on a low income, benefits or vulnerable. Some areas are giving hard-up residents free white goods or help towards the cost of them too. We've rounded up some of the councils offering residents help with the cost of essential household appliances. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is offering thousands of hard-up households help. Some can get help covering the cost of white goods such as washing machines and fridges, and even beds for children. The council wouldn't say how much the average price of a white good someone will receive might be. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Households requesting help must be referred to the council by someone like children's services, adult services or Age UK. You'll need to be of limited income to be referred. The criteria you must meet is: Single adult in work: Your household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance) Two or more adults in work: Your household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance) Your household savings must be under £2,000 If you're a pensioner, you can have savings up to £16,000 If you have received help towards the cost of white goods from Blackburn with Darwen Council in the last 12 months, you cannot get help in this latest round. More details on the scheme and how to apply are here - Isle of Wight Council Isle of Wight Council is distributing funding to local organisations to help residents pay for energy-efficient white goods like ovens and fridges. That means if you want help you will have to apply via either your local town or parish council, schools or colleges or a local charity. If you are on a low income or benefits, it's worth contacting the Isle of Wight council to see if you qualify for help. The number to contact is 01983 823644. Enfield Council Enfield Council is offering free white goods to households in need, with home delivery included. Those who qualify for help will be contacted by a supplier who will arrange for any appliances to be installed. You will need to prove you're struggling financially to apply though. To apply, you must: live in the borough of Enfield have an annual household net income of less than £40,000 have less than £1,000 in savings To find out more and apply, visit: Southend-on-Sea City Council Southend-on-Sea City Council is open for applications from hard-up residents - and households can get white goods. Households can also apply for help covering the costs of beds, bedding and clothing. You can apply for help if you're 16 or over, live in the Essex area, are on a low income and fit any one of a number of criteria. For example, one of these criteria is that you need help to ease "exceptional pressures" on yourself and your family. Another is that you cannot meet your immediate short-term needs because of an emergency like a fire or flood in your home. For more details and to apply, visit Barking and Dagenham Council Barking and Dagenham Council is distributing support to residents through a number of means including help towards the cost of white goods. The council has said help will only be given to those who need an appliance due to an emergency. To be eligible you need to be living in the borough and struggling with rising living costs like food and energy bills. You also need to prove you have previously taken steps to boost your income by claiming council tax support, housing benefit, Universal Credit or another benefit. More details can be found via What to do if you live outside these areas If you don't live in one of the above areas, check your local council's website to see what help you can get. You might not be able to get help covering the cost of white goods but may be eligible for other help. For example, Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those on benefits. Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit. You can find what council area you fall under via 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. 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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Households can apply for free cost of living cash worth £500 to help with food and electricity costs
HOUSEHOLDS will soon be able to apply for cost of living cash worth £300. Cash-strapped households can get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 1 The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income. Households in Camden can apply for support worth up to £500. To be eligible for the support, you must be aged 18 or over and live independently. You must have lived in the London borough for at least six weeks and have bank statements to prove you are in urgent financial need. If your application is successful, the support you will receive will either be a payment into your bank account, or vouchers that can be used for things like energy saving appliances. To apply for the support you need to register for the council's Money Advice Service. To find out more you can visit Applications for the support close on March 31 2026. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now Other councils to have announced details of their schemes include Salford where residents can apply for free food vouchers and fuel top up credits. North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. Meanwhile, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN CAMDEN The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. So, if you don't live in this area but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind, because the new round of the HSF has only just opened, you might not be able to apply for help yet. However, it's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels. 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.
