Struggling households can apply for up to £500 in cash as well as supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund
Families can now apply for a financial hardship fund if they're struggling with paying for essentials.
The hardship fund pays between £200 and £500 in cash, depending on circ*mstances, as well as supermarket vouchers for others.
This is part of the Household Support Fund (HSF), a scheme from the Department for Work and Pensions that aims to help struggling households in the continuing cost of living crisis.
The government put aside £842 million for the HSF which was available for councils to apply for a share of.
Each council then shares their portion with people who need it most in their districts. In some areas, the local council has offered straight cash, others have received supermarket vouchers, support with utility bills or more.
One council offered air fryers and electric blankets in order to help reduce the energy bills of its low-income residents.
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What is available?
Residents of Camden can get cash payments of between £200 and £500 as part of its hardship fund, of which the money has come from the HSF.
However, this is just one example of the help that's out there for families, as similar schemes are running across the country.
You can find out exactly what's available in your area by contacting your local council. You can find details of your council here.
The amount you could get in Camden depends on your circ*mstances, broken down into categories A, B and C.
£500 is available under category 'HSF A' if all the following apply:
- You’re in severe financial hardship
- You have not received a Cost of Living Payment from the government
- You have a low income and are claiming at least one benefit
£300 is available under category 'HSF B' if all the following apply:
- You're in severe financial hardship
- You're not eligible for the government’s £900 Cost of Living Payment
- You're either a pensioner who has a low income and does not receive Pension Credit, or you're of working age and do not receive benefits
£200 to £500 is available under category 'HSF C' if you're in severe financial hardship and ONE of the following apply:
- You're a single person or a couple without children
- You're a pensioner, disabled person or carer with or without children
Supermarket vouchers
Families in Camden who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support with children aged under 18 will also receive supermarket vouchers as part of its HSF scheme.
The council have already issued the following:
- November 2023 – £15 per eligible child
- December 2023 – £30 per eligible child
The Council will also be sending a further two more rounds of vouchers:
- February 2024 – £15 per eligible child
- March 2024 – £30 per eligible child
Eligible households will receive the vouchers automatically via post.
How do I apply for the hardship fund?
If you're eligible for category A, B or C as part of Camden's HSF, you can refer yourself through the council's website here.
You will need to fill in a budget sheet and the council's 'Better Off Calculator' so the council can assess what you will be eligible for.
The form takes about 25 minutes to complete.
What is the Household Support Fund?
HSF is a pot of money that was first introduced in 2021 to help struggling households with the accelerating pace of inflation that was making living costs difficult, particularly for low-income families.
Local councils could apply for funding from this pot to help their residents.
The scheme was extended in the Chancellor's 2022 Autumn Statement to help more people as the cost of living crisis continued.
The Fund will run until 31 March 2024.
Since it began, millions of families have been supported through the Fund with energy bill support, cash payouts, supermarket vouchers, free school meals and more.
Can I get help if I don't live in Camden?
Different councils help their residents in different ways through the HSF.
For example, Low-income families in Medway can get up to £520 worth of help.
While If you live in Southend on Sea, you could be eligible for £50 worth of supermarket vouchers.
And residents of Waverly could get a cash boost of up to £550.
Other support available
If you aren't eligible for the HSF, you might be eligible for Cost of Living payments.
Cost of Living payments are £900 grants issued to claimants of certain benefits such as Universal Credit and Child Tax Credits.
The first two instalments of the payment, worth £301 and £300, were issued last year. The final instalment of £299 will be given to those eligible between 6 and 22 February.
You don't need to apply for a payment, if you're eligible you'll receive it automatically.
To find out more about the cost of Living payments, have a look at our article here.
More money help
Still in need of some money help? We have more advice on our Cost of Living hub.
There's government-based information on the benefits and entitlements you may be owed, plus the latest info on the Cost of Living payments.
We also have plenty of advice from Money Saving Expert's Martin Lewis, as well as handy hacks to help save you cash on your weekly shop, the best January sales tips and how to save for a holiday.
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