Payments of £200 are now available to residents on low incomes in the East Riding through the latest round of the Household Support Fund, a national scheme.
As part of its Help For Households campaign, East Riding of Yorkshire Council is encouraging people to apply for the money, which is designed to help those most in need, who are struggling with energy, water, food and grocery bills.
Those eligible include families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people, larger families, single-person households, and those financially in crisis.
The payments have been made possible as the council was awarded £2.061m in the latest, fifth stage of the Household Support Fund national grant scheme, to help local residents.
The council has so far paid out around £10m through the first four rounds of the Household Support Fund since it was launched in October 2021.
Gill Barley, the council’s director of revenues and procurement, said: “This money is available right now to help our community and I would urge people to please check to see if they are eligible and apply online.
“We hope this money will make a difference as there are many people on low incomes in the East Riding who are having an extremely tough time.
“Please tell your friends and family about this fund because it may just help.”
Through the latest award, the council will also be supporting a number of local schemes and organisations helping people in need, including:
- Investing £1m towards the cost of providing free school meal vouchers during school holidays until October to those eligible in the East Riding,
- Giving Food banks in the area a share of £50,000.
How to apply for the £200
- To apply for the £200 payment visit www.eryc.link/fund
Automatic payments
- Those low income working households and unpaid carers who previously applied between April 2023 and March 2024 and received a Household Support Fund payment don’t need to apply again. They will automatically receive a payment.
- Payments will automatically be paid to those who meet eligibility criteria and currently receiving council tax support.
- Eligible households will receive the £200 payment by the end of July 2024.
Making a claim
- The application form will be open until the end of August. One application per household.
- People who are successfully entitled will receive their payment within 20 days of making the application.
- Those who don’t have access to the internet and wish to make a claim can call the council on (01482) 393939.
Other 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
