NEW £530 Cost of Living payments are being issued to UK households from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). Camden Council in London is providing a Household Support Fund payment of up to £500 per household, along with up to £30 supermarket shopping vouchers for each eligible child.
It says: “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).” Anyone who meets all of the below criteria can apply including Camden tenants and private renters.
You must be over 18, or over 16 if you live independently, have lived in Camden for at least 6 weeks, show that you’re in urgent financial need by providing current bank statements and have not applied for the fund in the last 2 months.
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The local authority stated: “If you cannot afford essentials such as food, energy bills or housing, you may be eligible for a payment from our Cost of Living Crisis Fund. Each Crisis Fund payment is worth up to £500. The amount depends on your circumstances and the size of your household.
“You can apply for two payments in a 12-month period, but you must wait at least two months to make the second application.” It said: “If you’re eligible, refer yourself to our Money Advice Service. One of our advisors will call you back to go through the application with you.
“If you’re a private renter, you can also email Camden Federation of Private Tenants at cols@cfpt.org.uk to make an appointment at their office where an application will be made on your behalf. If you have difficulty completing the form, please phone us on 020 7974 4444 and we will book an in-person appointment for you.
“We will check our Council Tax database to confirm you are a Camden resident. If you’re not registered, we may ask for another form of proof. If your application is successful, the support you will receive will either be a payment into your bank account, or vouchers that can be used for things like energy saving appliances.”