Thousands of households may qualify for £300 in assistance with energy bills this winter. Blackpool Council is providing this energy credit through its Household Support Fund to eligible households. Each local authority administers its own version of the Household Support Fund, offering various forms of assistance like energy support, supermarket vouchers, and cash grants.
Eligible households in Blackpool can receive £200 if consisting of one or two people, including children, and £300 for households of three or more people, including children. To qualify, individuals must be facing financial difficulties and struggling to pay their bills, and must provide recent bank statements for all household members.
Applicants do not need to receive Universal Credit or other benefits to apply for this fund, but can only claim once within a 12-month period. The payment is sent directly to the energy provider and appears as a credit on the bill or pre-payment meter. Residents can apply through the Blackpool Council website.
Residents outside Blackpool should check with their local council regarding support available through the Household Support Fund. For instance, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is offering £120 worth of vouchers to eligible residents, distributed in two sets of £60 vouchers to qualifying households.
City of York Council is providing one-off £100 payments to residents receiving council tax bill assistance. Portsmouth City Council is awarding £150 to single-person households and £200 to couples or families meeting specific income criteria. Residents must have incomes below certain thresholds to be eligible for these benefits.