Thousands offered £650 free cash by government but the deadline is coming soon

The latest round of the Household Support Fund is currently being distributed to help out with the cost of living and thousands of households are thought to be eligible.

Councils have been awarded another portion of the funding on offer from the £421 million fund and are giving it to people in need. The latest payment is for struggling households who are on a low income and who did not receive the first cost of living payment but thedeadline for applications is 31 March.

£650 cost of living payment

Councils across the country are distributing the money and the amount you are entitled to depends on your catchment area. There are both vouchers and grants available and so you need to search online for your local council and view their Household Support Fund page to see what you will receive.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is currently offering families a free £650 payment to help with energy bills. The money is available to those families who may not have been eligible for the government's first Cost of Living payment last year.

The cash is being split into two payments of £326 and £324 but some households may be able to claim both if they meet the criteria.

Residents have to be on at least one of the following benefits to qualify, as per Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-based Employment
• Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

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Payment eligibility

In order to be eligible for either payment you need to have not received the first cost of living payments from the DWP. In addition, you or your partner must be liable for energy costs at the property you’re living in.

Benefit eligibility is as follows:

First payment

• You must be on one of the qualifying benefits for an assessment period on or after 26 May 2022 and before 25 August 2022.

If eligible you will receive £326 paid directly into the requested bank account.

Second Payment

• You must be on one of the qualifying benefits for an assessment period on or after 26 September 2022 and before 31 March 2023.

If eligible you will receive £324 paid directly into the requested bank account.

If you meet the eligibility criteria for both the first and second payment you could be awarded both payments. You can apply for the scheme on the council website before March 31.

Other councils are also offering cash payments, including Runnymede in Surrey of up to £800 and North Yorkshire council is giving out £325. Check your council’s website for updates and information.

Other help available from the government includes, as per The Sun:

• A £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment available to eight million households, between November 2022 and March 2023.
• The winter fuel payment - worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
• The £150 Warm Home Discount between December 2022 and March 2023.

Further help will be available in the future as the government puts an additional £842 million into the Household Support Fund after 31 March.

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Sources used:

- The Sun 'HELPING HAND Thousands of households have just weeks left to get £650 free cash direct to bank account – how to claim'

- Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council 'Household Support Fund'