Residents are encouraged to check if they are eligible for support with energy and heating from the Household Support Fund, following many welcome applications being received.
Over 1,900 applications are being processed so far for the borough-wide initiative with funds remaining available for only a limited period and applications still being welcome. Eligible residents who receive the £200 support will then need to spend this with their energy provider.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “We want to make sure all eligible residents are given the opportunity to apply for this support, which is carefully targeted at those who need it the most in these challenging times. I thank our partners and voluntary groups for their ongoing efforts in helping us to reach those who have applied so far and I encourage any resident who thinks they may be eligible to check this now, while there is still time.”
You can apply to the Household Support Fund as a Bromley resident if you or your household meets one of the criteria listed:
- your household has a net annual household income of less than £18,525 and savings of less than £1,000. Calculations for the annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, or Child Benefit. In addition, you have not received support from previous rounds of the Household Support Fund, for example food vouchers
- you are disabled and have experienced increases in utility bills due to usage of equipment or transport costs
- you are entitled to but not claiming qualifying benefits
- you have begun a claim or return to payment of a benefit after the relevant qualifying date. See the government website for further guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment
- you receive non-means tested benefits and missed out on the cost-of-living payments.
Applications will be accepted until 31 March 2023, subject to funding availability. Funding comes from the Department of Work and Pensions and latest guidance about the fund is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/HouseholdSupportFund.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, public affairs, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk