Households can get £180 in free cash to help with cost of living – how to claim

STRUGGLING households can get £180 in free cash to help with the cost of living.

The help will be dished out under a new round of £421million funding given by the government to the Household Support Fund.

Councils have been given a slice of the new pot of funding on offer, which will be given out to hard-up residents to help pay for bills and essentials.

Shropshire Council is giving out £180 thousands of households, but there’s eligibility criteria to hit.

You must be on a low income and not received help from the Household Support Fund so far.

You must also be in receipt of housing benefit and receive certain benefits including Universal Credit.

The council will contact you if you are eligible, and you’ll be paid directly before Christmas.

In addition, children who qualify for free school meals will get £15 per week over the Christmas holidays for food.

Check in with the council to see if you qualify.

Make sure you have information to hand about your financial situation, like any payslips or benefit payments you get.

Can I get support if I don’t live in the area?

Yes – councils across the UK have their own Household Support Fund struggling households can apply to.

For example, Torbay Council is giving eligible cash-strapped residents a maximum of £50 towards food, and where necessary, another £50 towards energy bills.

In Coventry, households can claim a one-off supermarket voucher worth £36.

Meanwhile, in Kensington and Chelsea residents can grab up to £150 to help cover household bills, food and clothing.

How do I apply for the help?

Each council will have a different application process.

That means you should check in with your local council to see how to apply for the help in your area.

Check who your local council is using the gov.uk authority checker tool.

Those eligible for help may get it automatically but others have to apply – check with your council to see.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Household Support Fund.

There are also three areas giving out EXTRA cost of living support and here’s how to claim it.