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The ongoing cost of living crisis is exerting significant strain on people’s finances. This week, the situation worsened as Ofgem confirmed an average increase in bills by £149 from October 1.
This means that bills will rise from £1,568 to £1,717 – adding approximately £12 a month on average to an individual’s bill.
This development will undoubtedly heighten concerns for those already struggling to make ends meet, with worries about upcoming bills intensifying. However, there is a broad spectrum of support available that can be accessed before the new price cap takes effect.
This includes financial assistance from local councils and aid from energy providers. Comprehensive details of all the support available in September are outlined below.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was initially launched in October 2021 and has been extended several times since then. However, households have a limited time to claim any support they may be eligible for.
Applications for the HSF can only be made until September 30, after which it is unclear whether the scheme will be extended. Therefore, this could be your last opportunity.
If you’re unsure who your local council is or how to contact them, you can use the finder tool on GOV. UK here.
Simply enter your postcode and you’ll be provided with a link to your local council’s website where you can find more details on how they plan to distribute the HSF in your area.
Certain councils are providing payments of up to £500 for qualifying residents, although the level of support varies depending on your location and financial circumstances.
Council tax reduction
If you’re living alone, you can receive a 25 per cent discount on your council tax bill. This discount is also applicable if you live with a ‘disregarded person’.
‘Disregarded people’ are individuals who aren’t included in the local authority’s calculation of council tax for a household. A person will be disregarded if they are:
- Under 18 years old.
- Aged 18 or 19 and someone is receiving Child Benefits for them.
- Aged 18 or 19 and were still in education on 30 April – if they’re a school or college leaver aged 18 or 19 and they left after 30 April, they’ll be disregarded until 1 November.
This also applies if there is one adult and one full-time student or student nurse living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as ‘severely mentally impaired’ in the home. According to Citizens Advice, someone is classed as ‘severely mentally impaired’ if their mental health condition is permanent, such as having dementia.
To receive the discount, you will need to provide a doctor’s certificate, which states when their mental health condition began.
They must also be claiming one of the qualifying benefits which includes benefits such as:
- Incapacity benefit
- Attendance allowance
- Severe disablement allowance
- Disability living allowance (higher or middle-rate care component)
- Increase in disablement pension (due to constant attendance being needed)
- Unemployability supplement or allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Income support (which includes a disability premium)
- Personal independence payment (standard or enhanced daily living component)
- Armed Forces independence payment
In England and Wales you can also be receiving:
- Disability working allowance (based on getting income support including disability premium)
- Universal credit (including an element for limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity)
In Scotland you can also be eligible for, or receiving:
- Tax credits (including disability element)
- Employment and support allowance
- Universal credit
Long-term hospital patients and care home residents are also disregarded for council tax bills as are those staying in a hostel or night shelter. Prisoners or someone in detention awaiting deportation are also disregarded as well as those living in a bail or probation hostel.
Help from your energy provider
Some energy suppliers could provide extra financial help if you’re struggling with your energy bills. Different forms of help could vary depending on your provider, so it’s important you contact them directly to see if you’re eligible for any help
Up to 30 hours of free childcare
In England, parents with a three or four-year-old child are entitled to 570 hours of government-funded childcare annually. Typically, this equates to 15 hours a week over 38 weeks.
While it’s possible to spread these hours over more weeks with fewer hours each week, some local councils may require your child to attend at least 2-and-a-half hours each week. To claim government-funded childcare, you can inquire with your local nursery or childcare provider about availability and express your interest in signing up.
Furthermore, parents of three and four-year-olds can access an additional 15 hours of funded childcare per week (totalling 30 hours per week) if they meet the eligibility criteria. To qualify for the extra 15 hours, you must:
- Be employed.
- Earn a wage equivalent to 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage.
- Earn less than £100,000 annually.
From September 2024, the additional 15 hours will also be extended to two-year-old children.