UK households have 'two weeks' to claim free £250 towards Cost of Living

UK households have two weeks to claim a free £250 payment towards the Cost of Living crisis. Portsmouth City Council, a local authority in the south of England, is offering free cost of living payments worth up to £250 for low income households.

The council has recently urged those eligible for the support to put in a claim before the deadline on September 13. The council explained: "The third application window is open until 12.00 noon on Friday 13 September. Due to limited funding, applications may close early when the funds have been used up."

It went on: "If you’re already receiving support from the council, for example from social care, the housing service, or a community advice and support service they may be able to help with your application. Ask your support worker about referring you to the Household Support Fund Exceptional Hardship scheme."

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You can apply for a Household Support Fund Exceptional Hardship Payment if you are resident in Portsmouth City Council's area (PO1 - PO6) and have recourse to public funds. You must also be over 18 (or 16-17 years old, not in full time education, and working or receiving means-tested benefits, and living independently) and be in "exceptional hardship".

This means "unable to afford essential daily living costs or an essential household item due to an unmanageable reduction in income or increase in costs", the council adds. You also need to have earnings below the income threshold for your household composition.

You also need to have not received a payment from the HSF Exceptional Hardship scheme fund within the last four calendar months and have submitted a complete application and provided all requested supporting evidence of circumstances before the scheme closes.

As part of the application process, you may be contacted for a more in depth assessment of your application either via the telephone or face-to-face.