THOUSANDS of households can cash in on a free £100 payment to help with the cost of living on Monday.
The cash support comes through the government’s Household Support Fund.
The scheme works by handing councils up and down the country a slice of funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
Each local authority gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.
The voucher or grant amounts vary by location, so you must check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
For example, in Nottingham, 10,000 vouchers worth £100 are up for grabs.
Applications will be open between Monday, December 1 and Sunday, December 7.
Nottingham City Council says the money is for vulnerable residents, but it hasn’t yet explained the exact rules for who qualifies.
If your household is struggling financially, you should apply to see if you’re eligible.
Residents will receive confirmation they have been successful or not via email by Friday, December 12.
Eligible households will then be issued with a voucher by January 31, 2026.
The council said that residents who are unsuccessful will be able to apply again for another round of supermarket vouchers from February 2, 2026.
To apply visit nottinghamcity.gov.uk/householdsupportvouchers.
What if I don’t live in Nottingham?
The £742million Household Support Fund has been allocated to councils across England to help residents facing financial hardship.
You do not need to live in Reading to apply.
If you’re on a low income, receiving benefits, or struggling to afford essentials, you may be eligible for support.
The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills.
Applications are handled by local councils. Some have already opened their schemes, while others are expected to launch soon.
Residents are advised to check their local council’s website or social media for updates.
Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply.
In some cases, councils may contact eligible households directly by post.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don’t delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it’s crucial you apply as soon as possible.
What other help is available?
If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund, there are still other ways to get financial support.
First, check if you’re missing out on benefits.
Every year, billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed – and you could be entitled to more than you think.
There are free online tools that can help you find out what you’re owed:
- Policy in Practice – Better Off Calculator
- Entitledto Benefits Calculator
- Turn2us Benefits Calculator
If energy bills are piling up, you might qualify for a grant to help clear your arrears.
Both British Gas and Octopus Energy offer financial assistance to customers in difficulty, with some schemes wiping as much as £2,000 off unpaid energy debts — depending on your situation.
It’s worth checking directly with your supplier or visiting their website for eligibility details.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
