Thousands of households may qualify for £300 in assistance for energy bills during the winter season.
Blackpool Council is providing this energy credit as part of its Household Support Fund to eligible households. This fund is available in various forms, such as energy support, supermarket vouchers, and cash grants, operated by different local authorities.
Eligible households in Blackpool with one or two individuals, including children, may receive £200 in energy support. For households with three or more people, including children, a £300 award is granted.
To access this support, individuals must demonstrate financial hardship and an inability to cover their bills. Proof of recent bank statements for all household members is necessary for the application.
Applicants do not need to be receiving Universal Credit or other benefits to apply for this funding, but only one award can be claimed within a 12-month period.
The payment is directly issued to the energy provider and will show as a credit on the bill or pre-payment meter for electricity or gas. Interested individuals can apply through the Blackpool Council website.
If not residing in Blackpool, it is advisable to inquire with the local council regarding support available through the Household Support Fund.
For instance, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is distributing £120 worth of vouchers to qualifying residents. The distribution will include two £60 vouchers for around 10,000 working-age households receiving Council Tax Reduction in the last two weeks of November. Additionally, two £60 vouchers will be provided to about 6,000 pensioner households with Council Tax Reduction in the initial two weeks of January.
Residents with low incomes, paying energy bills, and not receiving Council Tax Reduction may be eligible for a one-off payment of £120.
City of York Council is offering one-off £100 payments this winter to individuals receiving council tax bill assistance. Nearly 5,000 residents in York are eligible for this payment, with the council having sent letters containing application details.
Portsmouth City Council is granting £150 to single-person households and £200 to couples or families meeting specific income criteria.
To qualify, recipients must be receiving certain benefits and have a household income below £935 for single adults or £1,350 for couples or families, including single-parent households. Additionally, the household income should not exceed £935 for single adults or £1,350 for couples or families, including single-parent households.