Just weeks left to apply for free cash worth up to £500

FAMILIES in England have just weeks left to get hold of free money.

The deadline for the Household Support Fund (HSF) comes on September 30.

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The fund was set up in October last year and an initial multi-million pot of money was handed by the government out to local councils.

But the scheme was extended in March this year and a new deadline of September 30 was set.

In total, councils up and down the country were given a slice of £1.5billion worth of funding.

But that means eligible households have only a few weeks left to potentially claim free money in the form of vouchers, energy bill help or direct payments.

How much help could you get through the Household Support Fund?

What you get through the HSF depends on where you live.

This is because each council is awarded a different amount of money, and can decide who they offer it to, and how much.

For example, Herefordshire council was given over £1million and dished out one-off £60 payments to some of its residents.

Ealing Council dished out £25 supermarket vouchers to some families in its area.

In Bromsgrove and Redditch residents were able to apply for the HSF through Citizens Advice.

The maximum people could get there was £500 per household.

Not all councils have announced how they will be handing out their portion of the HSF.

The best bet is to contact your local council to find out more.

You can use the government’s council locator tool if you don’t know what area you fall under.

How to apply for the Household Support Fund

In some cases, households eligible for the HSF could receive their payment automatically – if they’re on means-tested benefits for example.

But in other cases, you can apply directly for the payment.

It will depend on your circumstances, and also the council area you fall under.

Lewisham Council is sending payments to families with children receiving free school meals, and pensioner households.

Parents with children on free school meals will receive their payment directly from their child’s school or children’s schools.

But pensioner households will be written to with details of payments to be issued at their nearest Post Office.

Again, it’s worth checking on your council’s website for more details, or you can contact them on the phone.

What other help is there?

On top of the Household Support Fund there’s also a range of other support on offer for people.

Free school meals is one option.

They are handed out to all kids in government-funded schools and in reception, year one and year two.

Beyond that, your child might receive free school meals if you receive certain benefits, including Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit and more.

We revealed all the help parents can get as kids go back to school.

To apply for free school meals, you’ll have to go through your local council.

However, in some cases, those eligible the last academic year 2021/2022 had their entitlement automatically extended, like in Haringey in London.