Thousands of households can claim up to £90 free cash to land in bank accounts within days – how to claim
THOUSANDS of households in Nottinghamshire can claim up to £90 free cash and it will land in bank accounts within days.
The help comes via the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842million.
The scheme was due to end in March this year but has now been extended until April 2024.
What you could get will depend on what each council is offering.
The grants on offer vary by location because councils get a different amount of funding depending on the size of their catchment area, population, and need.
You'll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
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In Nottinghamshire you can get up to £60 for energy bills plus £30 per person to go towards food and other essentials.
The money will be paid either by cash or voucher, depending on the circumstances.
Those eligible can apply online via the Nottingham Council website from today (May 22).
If successful, the money will be sent to you with 10 working days.
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Those who get an energy voucher will also receive instructions on how to redeem it.
Households will receive one payment during the summer and then another over the winter.
Who qualifies?
You'll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help but if you're a family with children who get free school meals you qualify.
Other households struggling with the cost of living and on a low income may also be eligible.
It's always worth applying anyway as you might not think you qualify when you do.
How much will I get?
It depends on where you live as each council has been given a different amount from the scheme's £842million pot.
For example, households in Torridge are in line for payments worth up to £1,000.
The application process varies from area to area too.
The best thing to do is contact your local council to find out what help is on offer and if you have to take any action.
You can do this by using the Government's locator tool found on its website.
You might want to be quick as competition for the fund is fierce and once a council has depleted its share, there's none left.
That said, the Household Support Fund has been extended multiple times since it was first launched in October 2021 so it might be extended again when the current batch closes, in March 2024.
What other help is on offer?
Beyond the Household Support Fund there are three cost of living payments being issued by the Government between now and spring 2024.
They are worth £900, £150-£300 and £150 and the eligibility criteria for each is different.
The £900 payment has been split into three instalments of £301, £300 and £299 and is being made to those who receive the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension credit
The first instalment should be paid to over eight million eligible people by May 17.
The second and third are being paid this autumn and in spring 2024, respectively.
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Pensioners who qualify will also receive a Winter Fuel Payment between £150 and £300, paid this winter.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]