Thousands of households may be eligible for £300 in assistance with their energy bills this winter.
Blackpool Council is providing this energy credit through its Household Support Fund to qualifying households. Each local authority administers its own version of the Household Support Fund, offering various types of assistance such as energy support, supermarket vouchers, and cash grants.
Eligible households in Blackpool will receive £200 if there are one or two people, including children, and £300 for households with three or more individuals, including children.
To access this support, applicants must be facing financial difficulties and struggling to cover their bills. Proof of recent bank statements for all household members is required.
Applying for the fund does not require receiving Universal Credit or other benefits, but only one award can be claimed within a 12-month period.
The payment is sent directly to the energy provider and will be reflected as a credit on the bill or pre-payment meter for electricity or gas. Applications can be submitted through the Blackpool Council website.
If you are not a Blackpool resident, it is advisable to check with your local council for potential support through the Household Support Fund.
For instance, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is distributing free vouchers worth £120 to eligible residents. Approximately 10,000 working-age households receiving Council Tax Reduction will receive two £60 vouchers in the last two weeks of November. Similarly, around 6,000 households with pensioners receiving Council Tax Reduction will get two £60 vouchers in the first two weeks of January.
Residents on a low income, paying energy bills, and not receiving Council Tax Reduction can also receive one-off payments of £120.
City of York Council is offering one-off £100 payments this winter to those receiving assistance with their council tax bill. Eligible York residents have been notified by the council through letters containing a unique reference number for online application.
Portsmouth City Council is granting £150 to single-person households and £200 to couples or families meeting specific income criteria.
If you are receiving certain benefits and your household income is below £935 for a single adult or £1,350 for a couple or family, including single-parent families, you may qualify for this support.