Thousands to get one-off £350 cash paid into bank account from today
Amber Middleton
Content writerFamilies will receive a cash boost if they are struggling with paying for essentials – see if you're eligible
Select households will be receiving a cash boost of £350 to help with the rising cost of living from today (4 October).
This cash is available for low-income households as part of the Government's Household Support Fund (HSF).
HSF is a scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) given to local councils to help support residents struggling in their area.
The £842 million issued by the DWP is divided up between councils and used differently depending on the area.
Some councils have paid cash into the accounts of struggling families, others have provided free school meals during holidays.
Some have given out air fryers and slow cookers to help ease the cost of energy bills and some have handed out supermarket vouchers.
You can see a full list here of the support available, broken down by area.
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£350 payments
As part of the HSF, Tandridge District Council in West Sussex was allocated £316,343 from the DWP to be used during 2023/24.
This will be given to residents in the form of £350 payments transferred straight into bank accounts.
This is for people who are struggling to pay for essentials for themselves or their dependents.
Applications for the cash opened on 18 September for residents to apply and have now closed, with the payments being made from Wednesday, October 4.
The next round of applications for residents in this area will open on 11 December 2023.
This is just 1 example of what is available, there are also many more councils around the UK which are also helping residents in their areas under the next round of support.
Am I eligible?
To receive the cash, the following must apply:
- You must be over the age of 16
- You must live in the Tandridge district
- You are in financial difficulty
You must be able to prove that you are struggling to pay for essential items like food, fuel or energy bills by submitting evidence such as bank statements and arrears letters.
The council have said they will prioritise the following residents:
- Residents with dependent children
- Residents with disability or health problems
- Households with at least one person who is receiving their state pension
- Lone parents
- Those who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless including those living in temporary accommodation
- Survivors of domestic abuse
- Those leaving care or hospital
- Those facing an emergency crisis such as, a recent fire or flood
How much can I get?
How much you will get depends on your living situation.
- If you are a single household, you will receive £150
- While households with children will receive £350
When can I apply for the next round?
The fund will open again for Tandridge residents at 10 am on Monday 11 December.
How do I apply?
This will be an online application form on the Tandridge Council website. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can instead call 01883 722000.
To apply you will need to provide your contact details, date of birth, national insurance, bank details and you will need to upload your last three bank statements.
What if I don't live in Tandridge?
Many councils across the UK have announced their plans for the Household Support Fund.
- Dudley Council announced that households will be able to get a one-off payment of £250 if they make less than £45,000 per year and have less than £2,000 in savings.
- Ealing Council are giving struggling families a £175 supermarket voucher to help with food costs. Eligible households will get the first of 2 supermarket vouchers worth £175 in October. The second will follow in February 2024.
- Residents of East Riding in Yorkshire can get a free £350 cost of living payment if they get housing benefits but are not eligible for the £900 cost of living payment.
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Other support available
The government is also providing £900 in cash across 3 instalments in the form of the Cost of Living payment.
This is available to some low-income households in instalments of £301, which was paid in April and May 2023, £300 which will be paid out from the end of October and £299 which is due in spring 2024.
All the latest DWP money news and other cost of living help
For more advice on money or benefits, take a look at our Cost of Living hub.
You will find lots of Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.
There are also top tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.
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