The Department for Work and Pensions is offering free £500 payments in the form of “relief” from the Cost of Living crisis. The DWP has handed local authorities free cash to give to households up and down the country as bills continue to rise.
In Solihull, the local scheme is administered and managed by Act on Energy on behalf of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. To apply, you must l ive in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull and have a combined gross household income of no more than £31,000.00 per year.
You must also have no household savings (Pensioners can have up to £5000 in savings per pensioner) and have someone living in the home with a vulnerability. If your household satisfies all of the 4 criteria above, you can apply for support through the Solihull Household Support Fund.
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Those vulnerable include long term diagnosed and treated health conditions (physical or mental) e.g., COPD, households with unmanageable debts (i.e. debt has been passed to a debt collection agency, or you have a debt management plan in place) and disabled and in receipt of DLA or PIP.
Others include those in receipt of Carers Allowance or in receipt of Housing Benefit only (not as part of Universal Credit ) or in receipt of Council Tax Support (not single person discount) or in receipt of Employment Support Allowance or in receipt of Limited capability for work related activities allowance.
Others eligible include those in receipt of State Pension, in receipt of benefits related free school meals not universal free school meals or those who have received a referral from a foodbank, school, charity/voluntary organisation including Age UK & health care professionals.
If you have a debt with your energy supplier, the council may be able to make a payment of up to £500 towards the debt, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. You will be required to complete an application form and provide evidence in support of your application.