All the financial support available for families NOT eligible for the DWP's £299 payment
Amber Middleton
Content writerWith the final instalment of the £900 cost of living payments being issued, many struggling families left out are wondering what support they can get
More than 8 million people are eligible for payments of £299 which are currently being paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This is the third and final cost of living instalment that makes up the £900 DWP payment, following £300 and £301 payments last year.
But millions more families across Britain aren't eligible for these payments – as they're only for people claiming certain benefits – and need extra support from the government as the cost of living crisis ticks on.
However, even if you're aren't eligible for the DWP's Cost of Living payments, all is not lost, there is help for people who do not quality, and there is also help available for people who are not on benefits.
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Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a DWP-funded scheme that was set up to help struggling households across the country through their local councils.
Initially introduced in 2021, the government allocated £842 million to the Fund which councils could apply for.
Each council then sets out its own eligibility criteria for who can apply and determines how the help is provided.
More than £360 million has been spent as part of HSF. Other support has come in the form of supermarket vouchers, free school meals and more.
The scheme closes on 31 March and councils need to spend all their government funding by then.
Councils still issuing funding include the following:
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is offering residents financial help to assist with electric and gas costs, water costs, boiler inspections, reductions in utility bill debt, food and more
- Manchester City Council residents can receive up to £300, depending on circumstances
- Burnley Council are offering help for utility bills, food, household appliances and other essentials
- Calderdale is giving families payments of up to £450, depending on circumstance
- Chorley Council is issuing payments for residents who aren't eligible for the cost of living payments
- Stockton-on-tees is giving out payments of £300 for struggling residents
You can usually apply for the HSF through your council website. Find your local council here.
Or read our article here for more information on what different councils are offering.
Speak to your council
Citizen's Advice recommends speaking to your council to see what further local help is available in your area.
Your council can then signpost you to local organisations that could help you with bills: either reducing bill payments or giving you more time to pay them off.
Grants from your energy supplier
British Gas Energy Trust is offering two different grants worth up to £1,500 to customers and non-customers.
The Individual and Families Fund is open until the end of March and is available to households struggling with energy debt.
The Individual and Families Fund is for any households, irrespective of whether they are with British Gas, who find themselves in energy debt – either on their account or on their prepayment meter.
British gas customers can also apply for help through the British Gas Energy Support Fund.
To apply for the Individuals and Families Fund, households must:
- Have energy debt up to £1,500 and have a credit energy account OR use a Pre-Payment Meter in your main residence and the energy account must be in the name of the applicant
- Live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
- Must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name and the energy account must relate to your main residence. If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant.
- Have electric and/or gas debt
- Must be in or facing Fuel Poverty
- Have received help from a money advice agency
Customers who can get financial support from their own energy supplier are excluded from applying for the help.
To apply for the Energy Support Fund, households must tick the following criteria:
- You are a British Gas credit or pre-payment meter customer living in England, Scotland, or Wales
- You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 12 months
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household, the energy account must relate to your main residence
- Have electric and/or gas debt between £250 – £1,500
- You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty
- You have received help from a money advice or guidance agency
You can apply for the help through the British Gas Energy Trust here.
Get help with health costs
You can also receive help with various health costs through the NHS.
This includes the following:
- NHS prescriptions
- NHS dental treatment
- sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
- travel to receive NHS treatment
- NHS wigs and fabric supports
Help is available depending on where you live and if any of the following apply:
- get certain benefits
- are pregnant or recently had a baby
- are aged 60 and over
- are aged 19 and under
- get a War Pension
- have a certain medical condition
Check here to see what you're eligible for.
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