In order to claim the support, you must be experiencing financial hardship and struggling to pay your bills
Thousands of households could be entitled to £300 energy help this winter.
Blackpool Council is issuing the energy credit through its Household Support Fund to qualifying households. Each local authority runs its own version of the Household Support Fund – with help varying form energy support, to supermarket vouchers and cash grants.
Blackpool Council is distributing £200 energy help to eligible households of one or two people, including children. An award of £300 will be made to qualifying households of three or more people, including children.
In order to claim the support, you must be experiencing financial hardship and struggling to pay your bills. You will need to supply evidence of your most recent bank statements for everyone in your household.
There is no requirement to be in receipt of Universal Credit or other benefits to apply for this fund – but you can only claim one award within a 12 month period.
The payment is made directly to your energy provider and will appear as a credit on your bill or pre-payment electric or gas meter. You can apply through the Blackpool Council website.
If you’re not a Blackpool resident, it is worth checking what support your local council can offer you through the Household Support Fund.
For example, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has revealed free vouchers worth £120 are being sent to eligible residents.
In the last two weeks of November, two £60 vouchers will be distributed to approximately 10,000 working age households who receive Council Tax Reduction.
Then in the first two weeks of January, two £60 vouchers will be distributed to around 6,000 households with pensioners who receive Council Tax Reduction.
One-off payments of £120 are also available for residents who are on a low income, pay energy bills and do not receive Council Tax Reduction.
City of York Council is handing out one-off £100 payments this winter. You will be eligible for the cash if you are receiving help with your council tax bill.
Almost 5,000 York residents are eligible for the payment, with letters having already been sent by the council to households. The letter includes a web address link and a unique reference number for people to apply online.
Portsmouth City Council is awarding £150 to single person households, and £200 for couples or families.
You may be eligible if you are receiving certain benefits, and your household income is below £935 for a single adult household or £1,350 for a couple or family, including single parent families.
Your household income must also be below £935 for a single adult household or £1,350 for a couple or family, including single parent families.