Eligible Kent residents will receive a one-off £100 voucher for use towards their household gas and electric costs. Applications are open now until the end of March - or when this budget pot has been distributed. It is on a first come, first served basis and is one voucher per qualifying household.
The scheme is aimed at people who are impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and in need but are not currently eligible and therefore not receiving other government support released over recent months. To find out more, including the eligibility criteria, visit the website here
Professionals from partnership organisations are also making referrals into the scheme.
Leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, said: “We know these are difficult times and the pressure on family budgets will be a worry for many of us.
“The help available through the Household Support Fund will really make a difference to the many residents who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly during these winter months.
“It’s really important to us that residents who are eligible for this extra support with energy bills don’t miss out, but it’s clear that many more people in Kent have still not applied, possibly thinking that they don’t qualify.”
Successful applicants will receive the £100 Post Office cash-out voucher by text or email, or by post as necessary, and it will be valid for 21 days from date of issue.
“It’s really important to us that residents who are eligible for this extra support with energy bills don’t miss out”
Provided by the UK government, the wider Household Support Fund scheme of which this is one element is administered by KCC and designed to support vulnerable Kent residents in need of help with significantly rising living costs.
A number of different routes are being used to maximise its reach, which have been shaped by the guidance issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This includes a portion of the funds having been automatically allocated to families who are eligible for free school meals, with supermarket vouchers over the school holidays.
A proportion of the funding pot has also been made available for our district and borough councils to put in place support schemes which target specific local need across the county.
Applicants for the £100 energy voucher must:
- be 16 or over
- be a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bromley, and Bexley)
- be in receipt of means tested benefits, or household income is less than £30,000 per annum before tax
- not have savings above £250
- not be receiving free school meals support for any child within their household (they will be receiving a payment via their children’s school).
- not in receipt of Cost of Living payment provided by DWP.
Further information
This scheme does not require any bank account details and will never request these details over the phone or via email or text message. Be aware of criminals trying to capitalise on the cost of living crisis. Please be vigilant and if you are approached in this way by someone claiming to be from the council, follow this advice:
- Always report it to Action Fraud
- Contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice if you think you need it
- Alert your bank if you have given out your bank details.
