Households in certain parts of the UK could receive a £300 cost of living payment this month through their local council’s support scheme this month.
The payment is being offered to eligible low-income pensioner households who live in Shropshire with money being offered by council allocation from the Household Support Fund.
Those who qualify for the cost of living upport have already been sent letters with details on how to claim the money.
The council has received £2.1million from the Government to help residents who are struggling with bills or living on low incomes.
Eligible residents must act quickly to secure the payment, as applications will close permanently on January 26.
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Older households in Shropshire could be eligible for £300 in cost of living support
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What is the Household Support Fund?
This is a Government initiative that provides local councils with funding to support residents in their areas. Each council has flexibility in how they distribute this support, which can include cash payments, bill discounts, or vouchers.
The scheme, originally introduced by the Conservative government in October 2021, has been extended several times.
The most recent extension came from the current Labour government, which provided an additional £421million to councils across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to assist residents who are behind on bills or living on low incomes.
The support available varies between different councils, with each local authority determining how best to help their residents.
Why are households in Shropshire getting a £300 cost of living payment?
In Shropshire, the £300 sum is specifically targeted at low-income pensioner households who receive council tax support and/or Housing Benefit.
However, those who receive Pension Credit are not eligible for this particular support. The council is also providing £100 payments to care leavers as part of the scheme.
All eligible households should have received a letter from Shropshire Council detailing the support available.
Anyone who believes they qualify for the support but have not received a letter are advised to contact the council directly.
How can you apply for the £300 cost of living payment?
The council requires applicants to provide their National Insurance number and a unique identifier code, which can be found on the letter sent to eligible households. Applications can be submitted through Shropshire Council’s website.
Applicants will need to provide their National Insurance number during the application process. The unique identifier code found on the council’s eligibility letter must also be included with the application.
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The deadline for applications is January 26, after which the scheme will permanently close.
While this scheme is specific to Shropshire residents, other councils across the country operate their own versions of the Household Support Fund.
Residents outside of Shropshire cannot apply for this particular £300 payment but should check their local council’s website for similar support schemes.
Each local authority manages its own Household Support Fund programme, offering different types of assistance to their residents.
