THOUSANDS of struggling households could get up to £370 free cash within days.
The cost of living is still rising and many are struggling to make ends meet.
Struggling households can get help towards the cost of livingAlamy
But some households will be able to get some help for their food and other essential costs.
The money comes as part of the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842million.
The money has come from the Government which has distributed it among councils in England.
They then decide how to share their portion of the fund.
That means what you can get depends on where you live, but in most cases help is offered to those on a low income or benefits.
The type of support on offer varies as well – some local authorities are offering out food or utility bill vouchers while others are making bank transfers.
You might even get help buying white goods such as fridges and washing machines.
We’ve listed what people could get this month from their council below.
Bear in mind that if your council isn’t listed – that doesn’t mean it isn’t offering anything so do check to see if you can get some financial help.
City of York
Residents living in the City of York council district can get up to £370.
The council is supplying successful applicants with two rounds of payments worth £185 each – one at the end of June, and one in November.
You’ll need to be a resident of the City of York Council to get this payment.
Applicants should also be aged 16 or over.
Some people will receive an invitation through the post to apply if they’re on low income – so double check whether you’ve had one.
Those who receive a letter should be in receipt of Council Tax Support.
If you haven’t received a letter, you must require urgent financial support and have inadequate savings in order to apply.
The council also considers the following groups as priority for the scheme:
people with disabilities, including childrencarerspeople with health conditions that are affected by the cold, such as COPD, severe asthma, cardiovascular disease, sickle cell anaemiapensionerssingle adult households with high energy, rent or mortgage costs
There are two types of applications, depending on if you received an invitation or not.
However, both are forms to fill in, and both are available on the council website.
There is also information there on how to fill out a paper application.
Successful applicants will receive the cash directly to their bank accounts thereafter, and you’ll be told when a payment is on the way.
Make sure to have your National Insurance number, a recent bank statement and any other supporting documents to hand when you apply.
Durham
Families in Durham can get £150 free cash to help them with food and other essential costs.
Parents will qualify if their children get free school meals or you do not get any of the cost of living support payments.
Recipients will get two vouchers of £75 and the first will be made within weeks.
The first batch of vouchers will be sent out on the weeks starting June 19 and June 26 for children in primary school and above.
If your child is of nursery age (or pre school) then you’ll get it from July 3.
The second voucher will be paid later on this year with families getting it either on the weeks beginning November 20 and 27 or December 4.
You don’t need to apply for this – the money will be sent directly through your child’s school.
North Somerset
Those living in North Somerset could get £120 in free vouchers or those with children could get even more.
You’ll qualify if:
You live in North SomersetYou are experiencing financial hardshipYou are of working or pension age and claim council tax support.You’re a low-income family with children who get free school meals or care care leavers.
Vouchers will be sent in two £60 payments with the first one landing in June and the second in November.
If you have two children then you could get double the amount – £240.
If you’re not sure if you qualify, do contact North Somerset council anyway as there may be other ways they can help.
To apply for the vouchers, you’ll need to fill in an online form via the North Somerset council website.
The council will contact you to let you know the outcome of your application.
If you are eligible, you will receive a voucher which will be emailed to you within 28 days.
Torridge
If you live in Torridge then you can also get free cash this month.
The support isn’t limited to June though, but depending on when you apply you may get it this month.
There isn’t a set limited on how much people can get, but struggling households could get anywhere between £600 and £1,000.
The amount depends on the individual’s circumstances.
The money will be paid direct into bank accounts and will be paid within 14 working days of application.
However, if for some reason the money cannot be transferred to a bank account, then the council will give the support in vouchers instead.
To get the help, you’ll need to head to the Torridge Council website and search “household support fund”.
You can then fill in an application form and you’ll hear back from the council on whether it was successful.
Nottingham
In Nottinghamshire you can get up to £60 for energy bills plus £30 per person to go towards food and other essentials.
The money will be paid either by cash or voucher, depending on the circumstances.
Those eligible can apply online via the Nottingham Council website as of May 22 so if you apply now, you could get it before June is up.
If successful, the money will be sent to you within 10 working days.
Those who get an energy voucher will also receive instructions on how to redeem it.
Households will receive one payment during the summer and then another over the winter.
You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help but if you’re a family with children who get free school meals you qualify.
Blackpool
Blackpool Council is offering households either £200 or £300 for help towards energy bills.
Households with up to two people – including children – will get the £200, while those with three or more will receive £300.
To apply to the Household Support Fund applicants must be:
Over the age of 16 (and paying the bills)A Blackpool Council resident (you receive a council tax bill from Blackpool Council) Experiencing financial hardship and do not have enough resources to meet your immediate short-term needsNot received a Household Support Fund or Energy Bill Support Scheme grant payment in the last 6 months (this does not include the £66/£67 per month payments received between October 2022 and March 2023)
There is no requirement to be in receipt of Universal Credit or other DWP benefits to apply to this fund.
The money will be paid directly to your energy provider and will come off your bill.
You can apply online now via the Blackpool Council website here: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Benefits/Household-support-fund.aspx.
This payment isn’t limited to June only but if you apply now then you could get it this month.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]