State pensioners who lost the £300 Winter Fuel Payment are getting a free £150 to fill the gap. Under the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) Household Support Fund, Leeds City Council is paying eligible households £150 payments.
Pensioner households claiming Council Tax support on January 6, 2025, are set to receive the payment. If eligible, households will receive the payment automatically this month and all payments are set to be paid by the end of January.
Struggling working households who are claiming Council Tax Support will also receive a payment worth £40. The local authority advised: ” We are funding voluntary and community organisations across the district so they can support vulnerable people who are in need and have a low income with the costs of energy, food and essential household items.
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“This includes extra funding to increase the supply of food to local food aid providers and to organise a network of Welcome Spaces over the winter months.” The council also advised it “does not offer loans as part of the Household Support Fund.”
“We will never call you inviting you to apply for a loan as part of this scheme or ask you to make any payment in order to receive any Household Support Fund award,” the local authority said. The direct payment from the Household Support Fund will be based on information held on the Council Tax Support claim.
Households in receipt of Council Tax Support on 6 January 2025 will receive an award. These payments will be made in January 2025 and the council says it will contact those who are eligible as the Cost of Living crisis continues nationwide.
Additional funding will be available to residents who need emergency support with the costs of food, energy or household items. Residents can contact the Local Welfare Support Scheme on 0113 376 0330, the council has also added.