Thousands of hard-up homes can apply for financial help from their council as the government is putting another £421million into the Household Support Fund .
The government previously put £1.5billion into the fund, which is designed to help people in serious financial need.
The money is handed out by local councils , and is normally handed out as cash or vouchers.
Now the DWP will put another £421million into the fund from tomorrow, October 1.
The new pot of cash will be distributed until March 31, 2023.
To obtain grants from the Household Support Fund, applicants must contact their local authority.
If you’re not sure of your local council, you can find out by entering your postcode into the Government’s online tool.
Household Support Fund grants are intended to help people on low incomes pay for everyday essentials. Exact eligibility criteria, and the amount of money on offer, will vary between different local authorities.
The Government is also currently in the process of rolling out a series of targeted cost of living payments. It has valued its package of cost of living support at £15 billion.
“The Household Support Fund has been an important government support scheme for many of those in need over the past year, and I’m very pleased that our decision to extend it means it will continue to help people with the costs of essentials - including food and energy - this winter,” said DWP minister Victoria Prentis.
Household Support Fund grants are intended to help people on low incomes pay for everyday essentials. Exact eligibility criteria, and the amount of money on offer, will vary between different local authorities.
Energy bills will rise for millions households from tomorrow as the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee comes into effect.
The new Government initiative replaces the Ofgem price cap - which would’ve seen bills rise to £3,549 for someone with typical use - and will be in place for two years.
It means households won’t face the hideous rises that were expected to come next year - with analysts previously predicting that gas and electricity bills will hit £6,000 in 2023.
But the £2,500 figure that kicks in from this Saturday (October 1) is still higher than the current price cap, which is £1,971.
Much like the old Ofgem price cap, what the Energy Price Guarantee will do is cap the unit rates you’re charged for gas and electricity, plus the standing charges.
This means if you use more energy, you could end up paying more than £2,500. Similarly, use less energy and your bill should be less.
The £400 energy discount is still happening and is on top of the £2,500 figure - so this takes the average bill for someone with typical use to £2,100 a year.
You should start to get the rebate from October, spread out over six months - you'll get £66 off your bill in October and November, then £67 from December 2022 to March 2023.
There are no plans currently to extend this.
