The regulator has highlighted potential assist
Vitality payments: How to save cash
Households scuffling with hovering payments are being urged to examine if they may unlock additional money assist – after a recent alert from vitality watchdog Ofgem.
The regulator has highlighted the Authorities’s Family Assist Fund, warning hundreds of thousands could also be lacking out on assist that may cowl necessities akin to vitality, meals and water payments. In a social media publish, Ofgem mentioned: “You is perhaps eligible for assist from the federal government’s Family Assist Fund… apply by means of your native council for monetary assist with necessities together with utility payments.”
The scheme, first launched in the course of the pandemic, has been repeatedly prolonged and is now set to run till March 2027, with councils distributing funding to these most in want.
It’s designed as a discretionary pot of cash handed to native authorities, who resolve how greatest to allocate assist – that means what you get is determined by the place you reside.
Get private finance information, cash saving ideas and recommendation plus selcted provides and competitions Subscribe Invalid e mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embrace adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
The regulator has highlighted potential assist (Picture: Getty)
Crucially, households don’t at all times must be on advantages to qualify, with assist aimed broadly at anybody struggling to afford fundamental necessities.
Assist can embrace:
Underneath official Authorities steering, the fund is paid to councils, who’re greatest positioned to determine weak residents and ship focused assist.
Ministers initially mentioned the scheme would supply a “lifeline” for households unable to maintain up with on a regular basis prices, together with utilities and meals.
Every council units:
- Its personal eligibility guidelines
- Software course of
- Kind and degree of assist
Which means payouts can differ extensively – from tens of kilos in vouchers to funds value a whole bunch of kilos in some areas.
Do you know, you is perhaps eligible for assist from the federal government’s Family Assist Fund?
You may apply by means of your native council for monetary assist with necessities together with utility payments
Go to your council’s web page to seek out out extra ⬇https://t.co/8fmyylSd4G pic.twitter.com/gM9RpIpmlj
— Ofgem (@ofgem) April 30, 2026
Current native schemes have provided assist starting from round £150 to £300 or extra per family, relying on want and funding availability.
Key catch – it’s essential to apply regionally
Not like earlier nationwide cost-of-living funds, this assist shouldn’t be computerized.
As a substitute, households should:
- Examine their native council web site
- Apply instantly (most often)
- Present proof of economic hardship
Funding can be restricted – and as soon as a council’s allocation is spent, no additional assist could also be accessible.
Warning over scams
Officers have additionally warned that the scheme is usually focused by fraudsters. Councils stress they won’t ask for financial institution particulars by way of unsolicited messages, and residents ought to solely apply by means of official web sites.
Ofgem’s intervention means that, regardless of the dimensions of assist accessible, consciousness stays low – leaving many households probably lacking out on very important assist.
Leave a Reply