THOUSANDS of households can cash in on a free £300 payment to help with the cost of living.
It comes as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) where cash is distributed across the UK to support vulnerable families.
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Blackpool Council is one of multiple areas where you can now sign up for the scheme.
The area initiative is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It started on April 1 2025 and will continue until March 31 2026 – or as long as funding lasts.
Blackpool Council will hand out the payments to help support low-income families with vital short-term support, such as on food, gas and water bills.
Qualifying families with one or two people – including children – will be able to get cost of living payments of up to £200.
An award of £300 will be available to qualifying households of three or more people.
The scheme will also offer advice to the households which are struggling with money management and energy efficiency.
Not only that, but the HSF is providing children’s holiday food vouchers worth £15 per week – allowing them to have free meals between term times.
Your child must already be eligible for free school meals during term hours, and the vouchers will be distributed by Blackpool schools.
If you think you should be receiving this benefit, and are not already, you should contact your child’s school.
Food vouchers are also available for care leavers who are responsible for household bills.
They can also access a free bus pass to help shift the cost of transport.
If care leavers have any queries on this, they are advised to contact their usual support worker.
Voluntary sector organisations will also be provided with funding to support residents with projects struggling with cost of living issues.
This includes direct and preventative support, and you can read more about it on the council’s website.
In order to qualify for the HSF, Blackpool council says applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 16 or over and responsible for paying the property’s utility bills
- Live within the Blackpool Council area
- Be experiencing financial hardship and unable to meet immediate short-term needs
Due to limited funding, only one award will be made per household within a 12-month period.
Importantly, there is no requirement to be receiving Universal Credit or any other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits in order to apply.
For a detailed breakdown of how to apply, visit Blackpool council’s website.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don’t delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it’s crucial you apply as soon as possible.
What if I don’t live in Blackpool?
The £742million Household Support Fund has been allocated to councils across England to help residents facing financial hardship.
You do not need to live in Blackpool to apply.
If you’re on a low income, receiving benefits, or struggling to afford essentials, you may be eligible for support.
The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills.
Applications are handled by local councils. Some have already opened their schemes, while others are expected to launch soon.
Residents are advised to check their local council’s website or social media for updates.
Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply.
In some cases, councils may contact eligible households directly by post.
What other help is available?
If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund, there are still other ways to get financial support.
First, check if you’re missing out on benefits.
Every year, billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed – and you could be entitled to more than you think.
There are free online tools that can help you find out what you’re owed:
- Policy in Practice – Better Off Calculator
- Entitledto Benefits Calculator
- Turn2us Benefits Calculator
If energy bills are piling up, you might qualify for a grant to help clear your arrears.
Both British Gas and Octopus Energy offer financial assistance to customers in difficulty, with some schemes wiping as much as £2,000 off unpaid energy debts — depending on your situation.
It’s worth checking directly with your supplier or visiting their website for eligibility details.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories