HOUSEHOLDS can get up to £450 free cash to help with the cost of living and sent straight from the Post Office.

The cost of living crisis has taken a toll on all of us, forcing many people to tighten their purse strings.

However, those on a low-income or certain benefits could get free financial help from their local council.

The help comes via the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842million.

The money is provided by the Government which has distributed it among councils in England.

They then decide how to share their portion of the fund.

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That means what you can get depends on where you live, but in most cases help is offered to those on a low income or benefits.

The type of support on offer varies as well – some local authorities are offering out food or utility bill vouchers while others are making bank transfers.

For example, residents living in Reading could get up to £450 free cash.

The amount you get depends on your circumstances.

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Households with children who qualify for free school meals or care leavers will be sent two £125 vouchers.

The first should have been sent in July, so if you haven't yet applied then you may have missed out on that.

But the second payment is being made in December so there's still time to submit an application for that.

If you have received the first voucher then you have until November 30 to cash it in and you'll have until February 24 next year to cash in the next one.

If you do not then you will lose the money.

Reading Council is also giving £450 to people above the state pension age in receipt of Housing Benefit who do not receive the government support.

These will be paid directly into bank accounts in October.

Those getting the two payments will be sent a voucher from their local Post Office to their address.

While those eligible for the £450 payment will receive it as a bank transfer in October.

You do not need to apply for the £450 payment, it'll be sent automatically.

The application window for the second £125 payments opens in September.

Can I get help if I don't live in Reading?

Yes, but the help available to you will depend on where you live.

Each council is distributing their share of the HSF differently.

Some are handing out vouchers, while others are making bank transfers to eligible residents.

The amount you are entitled to will vary depending on the area you live in too.

If you’re not sure which council is in charge of your area, you can tap your postcode into the government’s local council checker tool to find out.

The most common types of support provided each year are supermarket vouchers, fuel vouchers and one-off payments. 

Bear in mind that many councils haven't opened the application process for the next round of funding yet, so keep an eye out.

Who is eligible for the DWP cost of living payment?

A separate £900 cost of living payment for those on certain benefits is being paid out over the course of the year.

The payment is available for those who receive any of the following:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit

The first payment, worth £301, was paid between April and May.

The second instalment, worth £300, will be paid in autumn.

Spring next year will see the final chunk of the £900 cost of living payment dished out – it is worth £299.

We don't know have an exact date for when the second and third payments will be made.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has it said it'll provide more information on exact dates nearer the time.

You can check the full list of cost of living payments available on the government website.

What other help is out there?

Council tax discount

Many people don't realise they can get a cheaper council tax bill.

There are a number of discounts you could get, depending on your circumstances.

To apply for any of the below discounts, go through the government website.

If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.

This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.

If you live with someone who doesn't have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.

And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.

Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.

If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.

If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.

Grants and hardship funds

You can get a grant from your energy supplier if you're really struggling and need help paying off debts.

Scottish Power, for example, gives up to £750 per household to the most hard-up households.

Most hardship funds have no deadline and you can apply all year round.

There is no specific eligibility criteria, but most customers who get help are in arrears on their bill.

Healthy Start Vouchers

Healthy start vouchers can help you cover the cost of fresh food and drink for your kids.

If you're on a low income, the scheme could be worth as much as £442 a year.

Each healthy start voucher is currently worth £4.25 a week, and over a year that adds up to £221.

It's worth double that if you have a child under the age of one as you'll be eligible for two vouchers each week, which makes up the £442 maximum.

There used to be paper vouchers, but that has been replaced by a prepaid card, so you'll get the amounts added to that instead automatically every four weeks.

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Meanwhile, those struggling can apply for a range of schemes that provide free cash, vouchers and more and you could get thousands of pounds – see our full list.

Plus, here is the full list of benefits that don't qualify for the cost of living payments.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

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