UK Govt cofirmed £1,000 Hardship Payments for UK households who ‘aren’t on DWP benefits’

In the face of rising living costs, many households across the UK are struggling to make ends meet. To help ease this burden, the government has announced £1,000 cost of living payments for certain households, including those in Portsmouth. These payments are designed to help people who are struggling financially, whether they are receiving benefits or not. If you’re in financial hardship, you may be eligible to apply for exceptional hardship payments through the Household Support Fund. But you’ll need to act quickly, as the application deadline in Portsmouth is approaching fast, with applications closing on June 12.

Who Can Apply for the £1,000 Cost of Living Payment?

Residents in Portsmouth facing financial hardship and unable to afford essentials can apply for up to £1,000 through the exceptional hardship payment. You don’t need to be on benefits to apply, but you do need to meet specific eligibility criteria.

The city council in Portsmouth explains that you can apply if you are facing severe financial hardship and haven’t received an exceptional hardship payment in the last 6 months. This means that even if you’re not on Universal Credit or other benefits, you can still apply, as long as you meet the required conditions.

To apply, you’ll need to provide evidence of your income and bank accounts, and explain what you’ve done to improve your financial situation. Additionally, you will need to explain why you need help.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria?

The Portsmouth council has outlined a few basic requirements to qualify for this payment:

• You must be facing severe financial hardship and unable to afford essential living costs.
• You should not have received an exceptional hardship payment in the last 6 calendar months.
• Evidence of your income and bank accounts will be required to support your application.
• You must explain the steps you’ve taken to improve your financial situation and clearly outline the reasons you need financial help.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply before the June 12 deadline.

Differences in Cost of Living Schemes Across the UK

While the Portsmouth scheme is one way to access financial support, different councils across the UK may offer their own schemes for cost of living support. The Household Support Fund is provided by the central government, but local authorities decide how to run their schemes, which means eligibility criteria can differ.

Some councils distribute the money through local charities and community groups, while others limit household applications to once a year. Therefore, the amount of money you can receive and how you apply will vary depending on where you live.

Other Areas Offering Cost of Living Payments

For example, in the West Midlands, families in Worcestershire can apply for £500 of cost of living support if they meet certain criteria. In Worcestershire, the eligibility limit is based on income and savings.

• A single adult with no children must earn £24,570 or less.
• For all other households, the income limit is £31,000 or less.
• Savings must be none unless you are of state pension age, in which case you can have savings up to £5,000.

These payments are part of a wider effort to assist families across the UK who are struggling to cope with rising costs. Each council decides how best to distribute the funds, so it’s important to check the specific rules in your area.

If you are struggling with the rising cost of living and live in Portsmouth, you have a limited window to apply for an exceptional hardship payment worth up to £1,000. Applications are closing on June 12, so you need to act quickly. The scheme is open to those who are in financial hardship, even if they aren’t on benefits, as long as they meet the necessary criteria. Other areas like Worcestershire also offer similar support, but each region has different rules and limits. Make sure you know what’s available in your area and apply before deadlines pass.

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