Payments of £200 are available to residents on low incomes in the East Riding through the Government’s Household Support Fund.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council was awarded £2.061m in the latest round of the scheme to help local people in need, which is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
As part of its Help For Households campaign, the council is now encouraging people to apply for the money, which is on offer to help residents who are struggling with energy and water bills, the cost of food and groceries, phone and broadband bills, clothing and transport costs, goods like fridges and slow cookers, and advice services.
People eligible for the payments include low-income pensioners, disabled people, care leavers and those who are financially in crisis.
So far, the council has paid out around £12m to local residents in need through the first five rounds of the Household Support Fund, which began in October 2021.
Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, the council’s cabinet member for finance and governance, said: “This money is available to support families and households who are in crisis, so I’d encourage people to please come forward and make a claim.
“We want to make a difference and to support people in the community on low incomes who need it the most. There are a lot of people struggling with the basics right now.
“Please spread the word with your family, friends and neighbours and anyone else that these payments are on offer, because this money is here to help.”
The payments are available from now until March 31 next year.
Thanks to the latest award from the Government, the council is also able to support many other schemes and organisations through the Household Support Fund, including:
- Investing £651,000 in free school meal vouchers for eligible families covering the Christmas, February half term and Easter holidays,
- £330,000 to help some pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit with one-off payments of £200 towards winter fuel costs,
- £222,000 for the Emergency Assistance Scheme which helps residents in crisis,
- £140,000 for food banks, welcoming places and to provide white goods where needed.
To apply for the £200 payment visit www.eryc.link/fund
People without access to the internet can claim by calling the council on (01482) 393939.
People who are successfully entitled should receive their payment within 20 days of making the application.
Automatic payments:
Residents who are currently receiving council tax support and meet the eligibility criteria will also receive payments automatically.
Further help available:
- Visit the council’s Help For Households webpage at eryc.link/helpforhouseholds to find all the cost-of-living support and advice available. People can use the free benefits calculator there to check they are receiving all they are entitled to.
- For emergency help visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/emergency-assistance
- Households may also contact their nearest food bank when they require emergency support. Details can be found at www.erfpa.org.uk/find-a-foodbank
In the Autumn Statement announced by the Government on 30 October, it made a commitment to extending the Household Support Fund until the end of 2025/26. The full details including any money allocated to the East Riding and the guidance for the scheme have yet to be announced.
