The money is being distributed by Portsmouth Council as part of the Household Support Fund scheme, which is funded by the by the Department for Work and Pensions
UK households have just hours left to apply for up to £1,000 in cost of living support.
The money is being distributed by Portsmouth Council as part of the Household Support Fund scheme, which is funded by the by the Department for Work and Pensions. Each council gets to decide what type of help it offers – for example, one-off payments, or supermarket or energy vouchers – and who is eligible.
If you’re a Portsmouth resident, you could be entitled to cash payments, supermarket vouchers or a combination of both, worth up to £1,000. The council says you must be in “severe financial hardship” and can’t afford essentials – and you must earn below the following limits:
- Single adult, no children – £29,665
- Single adult, one child – £38,520
- Single adult, two children – £47,375
- Single adult, three children – £56,230
- Single adult, four or more children – £65,085
- Couple, no children – £37,452
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Couple, one child – £44,942
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Couple, two children – £52,432
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Couple, three children – £59,923
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Couple, four or more children – £67,413
The exact amount you could receive depends on the size of your household and your circumstances. In order for the council to process your claim, you’ll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts, and why you need help. But you need to apply before 12 noon on March 14.
If you’re not a Portsmouth resident, check your local council website to see what help it could potentially offer you – but be quick, the Household Support Fund closes on March 31. For example, people living in Herefordshire could be entitled to £300 if they provide more than 35 hours of care each week. If you’re in a household that is reliant on high energy medical equipment, such as, ventilators, dialysis machines, oxygen concentrators or feeding pumps, you may be entitled to a one-off £250 payment from Herefordshire Council.
Meanwhile, those living in Solihull can get free help worth £500 to pay off water and energy debts. You need to have a combined annual household income of under £31,000, have no household savings, except for if you’re a pensioner, then you can have up to £5,000 in savings. You must have someone living in the household with a vulnerability and be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
