Do you qualify?
We have written to residents on Universal Credit or Pension Credit who have not recently received an Autumn/Winter Cost of Living Payment. We asked them to apply online for a Household Support Fund payment by choosing the “reason for assistance" option on the Welfare Provision application form.
You may qualify for a Household Support Fund payment if your Universal Credit or Pension Credit claim began on or after 19 August 2023. This means that you will have missed out on the government's second Cost of Living Payment.
We will accept applications from residents:
- with an award of Universal Credit or Pension Credit where their claim began on 19 August 2023 or up to 2 months after this date, depending on the number of applications received and the budget available.
- who will miss out on the government’s second Cost-of-living payment because:
- they received a nil award of Universal Credit for their award period ending between 19 August 2023 and 18 September 2023, and
- they received an award of Universal Credit in the next award period (or in an award period up to two months after the government’s qualifying period)
You should not apply for a Household Support Fund payment if you have already received one since 1 July 2023. The council expects to make a further payment in November/December if your household and circumstances remain the same.
Payments will be sent out automatically to those that qualify.