TENS of thousands of households are in line for free money before Christmas to help them through the cost of living crisis.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million.
The fund was set up by the government and has been allocated to councils across England to distribute to residents in need.
There’s no set criteria on who is eligible for the help as it depends on where you live, but generally money is given to families on low incomes or benefits.
Households in Shropshire are getting £180 free cash paid directly into their bank accounts before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Tandridge Council is handing out up to £300 in free cash to households.
And there are plenty of other areas handing out help to residents before the festive period.
Shropshire
Thousands of households in Shropshire are in line for a bank transfer worth £180 before Christmas.
There’s a range of criteria you have to hit if you want to be eligible for help.
You can’t have received help via the HSF before, and you must be receiving housing benefit only.
Households in line for the £180 help don’t have to apply as they will receive the help automatically.
Tandridge
Households in Tandridge, Surrey, are in line for help worth up to £300, depending on your circumstances.
In either case, you have to be in financial difficulty and struggle to pay for essential items such as food, fuel or energy bills.
You also can’t have received help through the fund before.
You can apply on the council’s website, or call 01883 722000 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Warrington
Thousands of households in Warrington, Cheshire, are in line for a £40 cash payment direct into their bank accounts before Christmas.
It is the second of three payments that will be made to eligible households before April, 2023.
If you apply for the second payment now, Warrington Council said you’ll receive the first payment backdated.
You can apply on Warrington Council’s website but you’ll need to register, or if you already have an account you can sign in.
Burnley
Thousands of households in Burnley are in line for £80 in free cash paid direct into their bank accounts before Christmas.
But you must be receiving Council Tax support and housing benefit.
Plus, if you received the government’s £650 cost of living payment you won’t be eligible for help through the HSF.
Burnley Council is writing to all households eligible for the £80 payment.
Am I eligible if I live outside these areas?
Yes. But what you’ll be entitled to will depend on where you live.
Each council is deciding how they allocate their portion of the fund and who to.
But, in most circumstances, the money is given to households receiving benefits or on low incomes.
Some councils distribute the cash automatically and in some areas you have to apply for help.
It might come via vouchers for food or as a simple bank transfer.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the government’s locator tool on its website.
Then you can contact your local council to find out what help you might be in line for.
