How to find out if you’re eligible for one-off £185 payment that thousands of Brits will get soon

Thousands of Brits will have an extra one-off payment of £185 landing in their bank accounts in the upcoming weeks.

With the weather taking a wintery-turn in recent days and the ever increasing cost of living, councils across the country are helping out with a one-off payment to those most in need.

This payment comes from the Household Support Fund.

The fund was first announced in September 2021 to help vulnerable households with essentials over the colder months.

As part of the most recent extension, £842 million is being provided in England to push the Household Support Fund from April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

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This funding then goes to local authorities to support vulnerable households in their area.

So, what you’re entitled to will vary depending on where you live.

Some councils also share out the money through local charities and community groups and others limit household applications for the fund to one per year.

Different areas may choose different ways of using the fund to support people, with the City of York Council paying out £185 in November.

If you live there, you may have already been sent an invitation at the end of April if the council thought you were eligible for the payment.

But you may still be eligible to apply without receiving the invitation link - but you ‘must require urgent financial assistance and not have enough income or savings to meet the eligible costs the scheme can help with’.

Those who were verified will have received £185 by the end of June and will automatically get another £185 by the end of November.

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If you are struggling and live under the authority of City of York Council, they’re taking applications until 31 March next year to receive the next payment.

While in Manchester, those who receive Housing Benefit but don't get DWP welfare payments, and who also didn't qualify for support through a Government Cost of Living payment, could receive £300 through the scheme.

The council is also giving out £250 to households of five or more people who receive Council Tax Support.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City Council is offering grants of up to £200 to households facing financial difficulty.

While the process may be similar for many other areas, it’s worth having a check of how your local council is paying out their share of the Household Support Fund - which you can do here.