Households have less than a week to apply for £100 Cost of Living boost
Aneira Davies
Social and newsletter writerEligible applicants need to apply before the deadline – or risk missing out on extra help towards their household bills
Low-income households have just under a week to apply for extra help towards their living costs – which is set to come as a £100 voucher.
The cash boost is given out to households struggling to pay their energy bills and comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) – an £842 million pound fund from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to local councils.
Councils can allocate this money however they wish and to those they think are most in need.
Some give out food vouchers, others help towards energy bills and some provide one-off cash payments.
The scheme is available across the country – you can find out more about what's available in your area here.
- Cash boost for anyone claiming Child Benefit – coming in weeks
- Primark's 'timeless and chic' £18 dress that's a smart wardrobe staple
- Mobile phones to be banned in all schools – full new rules
- Aldi's new anti-ageing beauty buy is a dupe for £65 Estee Lauder serum
- Aldi's dupe of Dyson's £300 hairdryer is BACK in stores this week
What help is on offer for families?
Households in Kent are to get a £100 voucher to help with their energy costs, which will be paid either as a physical or e-voucher.
But the scheme is only open until 29 February 2024 – so families are urged to apply for the help now, or risk missing out altogether.
Kent County Council says, on its website:
'Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the UK government, the Household Support Fund scheme supports vulnerable Kent households in need of help with significantly rising living costs.
'If your application is successful, you will receive one prepaid card per eligible household to be used towards energy costs.'
If you qualify for the help, Kent County Council will issue one physical or one virtual prepaid card to the value of £100, which can be used towards energy costs.
Vouchers will be sent to you in the post or via email and can be used to pay for energy via PayPoint or Post Office physical locations, or used to pay directly to energy providers for electricity, gas or water bills.
The scheme – which comes to an end for good on 31 March – is available across the country, so check with your local council to see if you can get help through the HSF.
Who is eligible for the help?
To be eligible for the £100 energy voucher, you will need to be a Kent resident and permanently living in one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (excluding Medway, Bexley, or Bromley).
You'll also have to provide proof of residence, need to be aged 16 or over and:
- have a household income of less than £40,000 per annum before tax, including all benefits and employment income
- do not have more than £1000 in savings, not including funds you have identified for the payment of regular bills
- do not receive free school meals voucher support from your child’s school over the school holidays, for any child within your household
- are responsible for your household energy costs.
Families who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals should already have received support.
This will have come in a £100 energy voucher per eligible child at the end of November 2023, given out by your child's school.
Will I need to apply?
Yes, you will need to apply for the £100 vouchers.
You can apply for help via the HSF through Kent County Council's website here.
You can apply for the help yourself, or be referred by a professional.
However, you should apply for the help before 29 February 2024.
Kent County Council confirms: 'Applications will close on 29 February 2024, or once the funds have been allocated – whichever is earlier. The fund will operate on a first come, first served basis.'
When will I get the help?
Vouchers will be issued to eligible households within 10 working days. If you are expecting a card but haven't received it, you should check your spam and junk folders. If it still hasn't been received, you can call Kent County Council on 03000 41 24 24 or email householdsupportfund@kent.gov.uk to report it missing.
You'll also have to redeem your prepaid card within 90 days and use the funds within 6 months.
More financial help for families
You'll find plenty more help and advice on all things money and Cost of Living on the Netmums website.
And find out what you're entitled to – and how to claim – plus learn more about your rights as a parent with our handy guides to family benefits and entitlements.
Plus, discover Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis's top tips on everything from switching bank accounts, energy bills, unmissable deals and more.
Related stories
4 free cash schemes to help low-income families will close soon
All the areas where low-income families can apply for up to £450
