UK households will see £250 Cost of Living payments land in bank account within 14 days

UK households are being handed free £250 payments in the form of Cost of Living payouts during November. As we head towards Christmas, households are being told they can expect £250 payments in bank accounts in a handy Cost of Living boost.

The Household Support Fund, funded through the Department of Work and Pensions, has been extended and will be available to help households in need until March 2025. Herefordshire County Council says it is using the funding to support a wide range of low-income households, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, care leavers and disabled people.

Support includes with food, help with energy bills and wider essential costs. Funding is available to support households with individuals, whether children or adults, that are reliant on high energy consuming medical equipment to meet their health needs. This includes equipment such as, ventilators, dialysis machines, oxygen concentrators or feeding pumps.

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There is financial support for those that are most affected by the cost of living and by the use of such equipment resulting in higher energy bills. This can be particularly impactful during the winter months, posing a heightened risk of fuel poverty for individuals relying on these essential medical devices.

You may be eligible for financial support towards heating or energy bills. You can make a self-referral or be referred by a health professional, support worker, social prescriber or social worker, in order to be considered for the one-off £250 payment.

If your application is successful, the payment will be made within 14 days from the referral being received. In an emergency, contact the local authority's Emergency Welfare Support service, which offers the following support for eligible people.

It includes quality, second-hand goods, wherever possible via direct referrals to suppliers as well as food or vouchers and referrals to support organisations.