Thousands of households could receive a free £250 payment, check if you're eligible

Thousands of low-income families are being urged to check if they are eligible for a £250 paymentto help with day-to-day costs as the cost of living crisis continues.

In West Northamptonshire, the council is offering the money to people who live locally and receive a low working wage. The payment is part of the government’s Household Support Fund and is distributed by the local councils to help those in need.

Who is eligible?

It is the decision of each local authority as to how the money is spent with some offering one-off cash payments and some offering discounts on energy bills and supermarket vouchers.

To be eligible you must be living in West Northamptonshire and earning less than £400 a week in your job (after tax, including any government benefits). However, if you have received the Cost of Living Payment of £650 then you will not qualify for the payment.

You can apply here and if your application is successful, you will receive a £125 payment now and then another £125 payment automatically 60 days later, as per West Northamptonshire Council.

To qualify you must provide identification and two recent monthly payslips or four weekly payslips and applications will no longer be considered once the money in the fund runs out so it’s better to do it sooner rather than later!

What if I don’t live in Northamptonshire?

Help is available in other areas of the country depending on your council. To check what is on offer, google your council’s name with the words Household Support Fund after. Every council has created a webpage dedicated to the initiative and it will tell you what is available.

In North Yorkshire County Council you can claim electronic vouchers worth £325 which you can spend on food and essentials in several supermarkets.

Medway Council is also offering food vouchers worth between £50 and £210, energy vouchers worth between £30 and £100 and water vouchers worth £50, as per The Mirror.

The Household Support Fund has helped millions and has been extended three times now, with a recent instalment of £421 million, and will continue until March 2023.

Sources used:

- West Northamptonshire Council 'Household Support Fund'

- The Mirror 'Thousands of families due free cash payment worth £250 - see if you are eligible