Most recently, some local councils announced that they would be giving cash to households no longer eligible for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Winter Fuel Payment
Households who missed out on the Winter Fuel Payment this year are set to get a free £150 payment this month.
The cash payment comes from the Household Support Fund scheme which was first introduced by the former Tory government in 2021. It works by giving local councils pots of cash, which they then use to provide cost of living support to people living in those areas. Support can range from cost of living payments, to supermarket or energy vouchers.
Most recently, some local councils announced that they would be giving cash to households no longer eligible for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Winter Fuel Payment. One council doing this is Leeds City Council, which announced that it would be paying eligible households £150 through its Household Support Fund scheme this month.
According to the council’s website, pensioner households claiming Council Tax support on January 6, 2025, are set to receive the payment. If eligible, households will receive the payment automatically this month – although households will be contacted beforehand – and all payments are set to be paid by the end of January.
Struggling working households who are claiming Council Tax Support will also receive a payment worth £40. Again this is set to be paid to eligible household this month.
Leeds City Council also says it has been made available to residents who need emergency support with the costs of food, energy, or household items. If you are struggling and live in Leeds, you can contact the council’s Local Welfare Support Scheme on 0113 376 0330 to get help. However, you will not be able to claim any help if you have already received support from this service in the last 12 months. So, if you received help in the summer, then you cannot claim again.
Council services supporting vulnerable, low-income households have also been given funding so that they can offer additional financial support “where appropriate.” Leeds residents cannot apply for this support directly and must be referred by the Leeds Money Infomation Centre.
The Household Support Fund is due to end on March 31, 2025, after the Labour government extended it last year with an extra £421 million in funding. If you’re not a Leeds City Council resident, it is worth checking your local council’s website to see what help it could potentially offer you before the scheme closes.
