Struggling households in Worcestershire are encouraged to check their eligibility for receiving up to £500 in energy bill support. To qualify, residents must live in Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch, or Wyre Forest District and have an annual gross household income of £24,570 or less if single without children. The income threshold for other households is set at £31,000, excluding any received benefits.
Furthermore, eligible households must not have any savings, and meet at least one of five vulnerability criteria, such as receiving DWP benefits, being of state pension age, or having children under four years old. Families with children under 18, or young adults up to 21 in full-time education, may receive up to £500 in energy assistance, while other households could receive up to £300.
The energy payments will be disbursed directly to the supplier or provided through Post Office vouchers for pre-payment customers. Interested individuals can apply for the program through the Act On Energy website. This initiative is part of the Household Support Fund by Worcestershire County Council aimed at assisting vulnerable families.
If you do not reside in Worcestershire, it is advised to contact your local council for available support options. For instance, Surrey County Council is offering supermarket vouchers worth up to £300, redeemable at various supermarkets. Nottingham City Council is issuing £100 vouchers to low-income or benefits recipients, with 10,000 vouchers being distributed randomly.
Similarly, Wakefield Council is distributing food vouchers to low-income households receiving council tax assistance. Pensioners on Council Tax Support have already received £70 vouchers, with additional vouchers allocated for other eligible households. Families on Council Tax Support will receive £50 vouchers starting December 15, while other eligible households will get £70 vouchers between December 3 and December 12.