Claim your free £300 energy bill support cost of living money - how to apply
The Household Support Fund scheme gives local councils funding to help people struggling with the cost of living.
Struggling households can now claim a free cost of living payment up to £300, courtesy of the Government's Household Support Fund scheme. This initiative provides local councils with funds to assist those grappling with their energy bills.
In Blackpool, residents can claim payments up to £300 to help offset energy costs.
Households comprising two individuals, including children, can claim a £200 payment, while those with three or more members can claim £300. Successful applicants will receive the money directly from their energy provider as a credit on their energy account.
To apply for Blackpool's household support fund, certain criteria must be met:
- You must be over the age of 16 and responsible for paying the electricity/gas bills for the property
- You must be a Blackpool Council resident
- You must be experiencing financial hardship and not have enough resources to meet your immediate short term needs
Alongside this, you also can't have received a household support fund payment within the last 12 months. Blackpool Council has said you do not need to be claiming Universal Credit or any other Department for Work and Pension (DWP) benefit to be eligible for a payment
Additionally, you should not have received a household support fund payment within the last 12 months. Blackpool Council has clarified that eligibility does not require claiming Universal Credit or any other Department for Work and Pension (DWP) benefit, reports the Mirror.
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To secure the funds, you must provide evidence of your financial hardship. Blackpool Council warns that failure to include this will result in a declined claim.
Evidence includes recent bank statements, proof of bills, and a copy of your electricity or gas bill showing your name, address, supplier's name, and your account number. Applications can be made through the council's website.
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Blackpool Council has warned that due to the anticipated high volume of applications, it could take several weeks for your application to be processed. Once assessed, applicants will be contacted and if successful, funds will be disbursed within a few working days.
The Household Support Fund was first introduced in October 2021, and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the scheme by another six months until September 2024 during the spring budget, injecting an additional £500million into the fund. Since its inception, the scheme has received approximately £3billion from central Government.
The Households Support Fund typically provides free cash payments, supermarket and energy vouchers, as well as additional Council Tax support. Local councils are currently outlining the assistance they will provide in the upcoming months.
To discover what this entails, individuals should visit their local council's website.
