Struggling households can receive a free payment of up to £300 to help with energy bills this winter, thanks to the Government-funded Household Support Fund scheme. The scheme, first introduced by the former Tory Government in 2021, provides local councils with funds to offer cost of living support to struggling households.
Each council offers its own support, which can only be claimed by residents of that area. Blackpool Council is offering payments of £200 and £300 to households struggling to cover energy costs.
Households with one or two occupants can receive £200, while those with three or more can receive £300. If eligible, the money will be paid directly to your energy provider and will appear as credit on your bill.
According to the council’s website, you can apply for the support if you are experiencing financial hardship. You do not need to be claiming Universal Credit or any other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits to get this help.
However, you do need to provide proof of financial hardship. With your application, you will need to provide your most recent full month bank/building society/savings account statements for all accounts for the applicant and all other adults in your household, reports the Mirror.
These statements need to show all of your transactions and not just the balances. Blackpool Council has issued a stern reminder to residents seeking support with energy costs: submit the necessary evidence or face automatic rejection. Applicants must provide a copy of their electricity or gas bill, clearly displaying their name, address, supplier’s name, and account number.
For those on prepayment meters, an online account screenshot or photo is required, showing the same details along with the pre-pay account number. Applications can be made via Blackpool Council’s website, where they will receive a reference number.
The council warns of potential delays, citing “several weeks” for processing due to high demand. Successful applicants will be informed about the next steps. Residents outside Blackpool are advised to consult their local council’s Household Support Scheme and stay updated through their local authority’s website.
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