Households in the Midlands can receive a free cash payment of £300 to help with the cost of living this month. Shropshire Council is distributing the money as part of its Household Support Fund, a government-funded scheme that provides local councils with funds to assist residents struggling with bills or on low incomes. The scheme has also been run in areas in Yorkshire, including Middlesbrough and Rotherham.
Each council offers different types of support, often ranging from cash payments to bill discounts and vouchers for energy or supermarkets. Shropshire Council was granted £2.1 million by the government and will provide cost of living payments of £300 to low-income pensioner households and £100 payments to care leavers.
To qualify, pensioner households must be receiving council tax support and/or Housing Benefit but not Pension Credit. All eligible households have been sent a letter with application details.
Applications can be made online via Shropshire Council’s website using their National Insurance number and the unique identifier code provided in the letter. Those who believe they are eligible but have not received a letter should contact Shropshire Council directly.
Households are urged to act swiftly to avail of the support, with the deadline for claiming the £300 set for January 26. Post this date, applications will be permanently closed, reports Birmingham Live.
The scheme, initially introduced by the Tory government in October 2021, has seen multiple extensions, the latest from the current Labour government, providing an additional £421million to councils. This scheme is not accessible for those residing outside Shropshire.
However, local councils will have their own Household Support Scheme available. Residents should stay updated on any changes to these schemes via their local authority’s website.