£500 Cost of Living Support: Are you Eligible – Worcestershire County Council is offering support

£500 Cost of Living Support: If you’re struggling with rising costs, there may be financial help available for your household. Worcestershire County Council is offering support of up to £500 through the Household Support Fund. This money is meant to help with energy bills and essentials like heating or food, and is part of a wider government effort to help people during the cost of living crisis.

What Is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund is a government-backed scheme that gives money to local councils so they can help residents in need. Councils decide how to use the money — it could be given as direct cash grants, energy support, or vouchers for essentials.

In Worcestershire, this help is available if you live in Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch, or Wyre Forest.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount of support depends on your household type:

• Up to £500 for homes with children under 18 or full-time students under 21
• Up to £300 for adult-only households aged 18 to 66
• Pensioner households can also receive up to £300

This help might be paid straight to your energy supplier or sent as Post Office vouchers for energy use.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, your household income must be:

• £24,570 or less if you’re single and without children
• £31,000 or less for all other types of households

Some non-means tested benefits do not count towards your income. These include:

• Armed Forces Payments
• Disability Living Allowance (Mobility)
• Personal Independence Payment (Mobility)
• War Disablement Pension
• Universal Credit elements for disabled or childcare support

You must also:

• Have no savings, unless you’re over state pension age, in which case up to £5,000 in savings is allowed
• Meet at least one of these conditions:
  • Have a long-term illness or disability
  • Be of state pension age
  • Have young children aged four or under
  • Receive benefits like Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, or Health Allowance
  • Be receiving support from a food bank, Citizens Advice, Age UK, a GP’s social prescribing team, or housing/mental health services

Help with Heating Repairs and Energy Upgrades

Worcestershire County Council can also support households by fixing or replacing broken boilers, installing first-time heating systems, and upgrading smart heating controls to help cut energy bills long-term.

How to Apply for the Support

You can apply by emailing evidence of your situation to:
[email protected]

Or by posting documents to:
Act on Energy, Unit 2, Lauriston Business Park, Salford Priors, Warwickshire, WR11 8SN

Make sure to include information about your income, savings, health conditions, benefits, or support services you’re using.

What If You Don’t Live in Worcestershire?

If you don’t live in Worcestershire, your local council may have a similar scheme. For example, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council is giving out two £150 vouchers (a total of £300) to people aged 16 and over who live independently and can’t afford essentials.

So wherever you live in the UK, it’s a good idea to check your local council’s website or call them to see what support is available.

As the cost of living continues to rise, it’s important to know that help is available. Households in Worcestershire may qualify for up to £500 to help with energy bills or other essentials. Even if you’re not in this area, your local council might offer similar help. Don’t wait — check if you’re eligible, gather your documents, and apply as soon as possible to get the support you need.

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