UK households are being handed free £800 Cost of Living payments after being “identified” as in need. Camden Council is funding households who are hard-up in the wake of Christmas, thanks to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Household Support Fund.
Camden Council explained: “If you’re in an emergency financial situation and don’t have the money to pay for essentials, you may be eligible for a payment of up to £500 from the government-funded Household Support Fund (HSF).
“The deadline to apply for a HSF payment is 31 March 2025, and it has the same eligibility criteria as our Cost of Living Crisis Fund.” It adds: “Pensioners we have identified as being on a low income will receive a £300 Post Office voucher to help with the cost of bills, food and other essentials this winter.
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“These vouchers will be funded the government’s Household Support Fund.” As well as this, the council says he government-funded Household Support Fund (HSF) will also be used to fund supermarket vouchers until 31 March 2025 for families living in Camden who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support with children up to the age of 18.
Any child attending a Camden school and receiving free school meals will also receive vouchers. If you receive certain benefits – including Universal Credit – your child is eligible for this support but they must be registered for free school meals.
Families will receive: £15 per eligible child in October 2024 or £30 per eligible child in December 2024 or £15 per eligible child in February 2025. Government Cost of Living support on offer includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
You may get calls, emails or messages that are pretending to be from a government service or an energy bill support scheme. If you get a message asking for your personal details (for example, bank details or passwords) this could be a scam.