THOUSANDS of families may be eligible for one-off payments of up to £200 before spring next year.
The government's Household Support fund is being distributed by councils throughout the country and some families have already started getting payments.
The funds are intended to help those struggling with essentials like energy bills, as well as other necessities like food, and clothing.
Each council's allocation of the £842million fund will vary so the amount available for residents will differ.
In Bromley, Households are being offered £200 cash payments if they can prove they have been struggling for three months or more.
Thousands of households in Bromley qualify for the support and more than a thousand payments have been made so far.
Those eligible must be 16 and over, a resident of Bromley and either:
- a family with school-age children
- a care leaver
- a household with someone with a disability including dementia and mental health
- a domestic abuse survivor
- a carer
- a large family
- a single-income family
- a vulnerable household experiencing exceptional financial hardship
Households will need to prove they are experiencing hardship with evidence of:
- Energy arrears of more than 3 months
- Rent arrears of more than 3 months
- Mortgage arrears of more than 3 months
- Council Tax arrears
- or evidence of other significant financial hardship
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Residents in Bromley are encouraged to complete applications for the support online or you can speak to the Household Support Fund Team for help.
The council will respond in 15 working days and successful applicants will receive either a £200 virtual Payment Card or a £200 Sainsbury's gift card.
Even if you don’t live in Bromley there still may be help available – simply check with your local council.
To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.
Once you've found it, there should be information on what's available and how to apply on its website.
In North Yorkshire, thousands of locals received electronic supermarket vouchers worth up to £325.
Likewise in Kensington and Chelsea households are being offered a maximum of £250 cash payments or bank transfers to help with the cost of living.
In Tandrige applications for residents to apply for a payment of up to £350 open in December.
In other councils – including Buckinghamshire, North Norfolk, and Shropshire – details are still being finalised for the period between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
What other help is out there?
Council tax discount
You could be eligible for a council tax discount depending on your circumstances. To apply for any of the below discounts, go through the government website.
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
If you live with someone who doesn't have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
Grants and hardship funds
Some energy suppliers are offering grants to those who are really struggling and need help paying off debts.
Scottish Power, for example, gives up to £750 per household to the most hard-up households.
Most hardship funds have no deadline and you can apply all year round.
There is no specific eligibility criteria, but most customers who get help are in arrears on their bill.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
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