Thousands of people are eligible.
Pensioners will receive up to £120 (Image: Getty)
Thousands of UK households, including state pensioners, are set to receive up to £120 in financial support this winter through a government-backed cost-of-living scheme.
The help is being provided via the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund (HSF), which is designed to support people struggling with essential costs such as food, energy and household bills. Funding is distributed through local councils, which are responsible for deciding how the support is allocated and who qualifies.
The help is being provided via the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund (Image: Getty)
For instance, in Stockton-on-Tees, the local authority has confirmed it will issue support in the form of vouchers worth a total of £120. These vouchers can be exchanged for cash at PayPoint outlets, giving households flexibility over how the money is used.
Under the scheme, households already receiving Council Tax Reduction will automatically qualify for the support, with no application required. In the lead-up to Christmas, around 10,000 working-age households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction will be sent two £60 vouchers.
Pensioner households will also benefit. During the first two weeks of January, approximately 6,000 households containing state pensioners who receive Council Tax Reduction will be issued with two £60 vouchers, providing a welcome boost at the start of the new year.
In addition, residents on a low income who do not receive Council Tax Reduction may still be eligible for a one-off £120 payment.
This discretionary support is designed for individuals who pay energy bills and are experiencing financial hardship, with applications assessed by the council.
Councillor Paul Rowling, deputy leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Transport, said the scheme continues to play an important role in supporting local families.
“The Household Support Fund has been vital for families across our borough for several years,” he said. “We’re pleased to once again provide vouchers to thousands of eligible households this winter. If you receive Council Tax Reduction, there’s nothing you need to do as the vouchers will be sent automatically.”
He added that residents who do not receive Council Tax Reduction should still check whether they qualify for help, and encouraged people to seek advice through the council’s ‘Here to Help’ hub, which offers guidance on benefits and other support.
Households are being urged to check their local council’s website for details, as eligibility criteria and payment methods vary across different areas of the UK.
