HARD-UP Households can get £200 towards their rising bills during the cost of living crisis.
The Household Support Fund programme aims to help those struggling with their finances and can't cover the essentials.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) is in partnership with Citizens Advice BCP to help hand out the fund.
Applications opened on June 6 for those who are eligible. In order to qualify you must:
- Be a pensioner and receiving Pension Credit
- Of working age and in receipt of a means tested benefit or
- a pensioner or working age not in receipt of a means tested benefit who is in fuel poverty
You must also have savings of less than £10,000.
BCP plans to provide their support through supermarket vouchers.
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The Scheme is part of the Government's Household Support Fund which was first introduced in October 2021.
It has recently been extended until September 30, 2022 as millions of people face the ongoing cost of living crisis.
In May of this year Chancellor Rishi Sunak pumped an extra £500million into the scheme. In total, £1.5 billion has been made available.
The money is being dispersed between local councils to help those who need it locally.
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How do I apply for help?
For those living in the Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole areas, you can apply online or visit your local Citizens Advice Office.
You can find out more information here.
Each council determines how to use its budget to help local residents, with many previously dishing out supermarket and fuel vouchers or one-off cash payments.
Not all residents can receive the support due to eligibility requirements, so it's best to check your local council's website.
Some councils are giving out help automatically, while in other areas you'll need to apply.
To find out what support is on offer in your area, speak directly to your local council, or visit its website for more details.
You can find your relevant authorities by using the government's local council checker tool and inputting your postcode.
Residents in Blackpool can get as much as £300, depending on their circumstances.
In Kensington and Chelsea residents can grab up to £150 to help cover household bills, food and clothing.
There are other forms of benefits which you may be entitled to.
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You may be able to apply for a council tax rebate but make sure you don't miss the deadline.
There are also some major changes happening to Universal Credit as this month. Read more about them here.
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