THOUSANDS of households across the UK can now claim hundreds of pounds worth of free cash, household appliances, and help with energy bills under the extended Household Support Fund.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that the scheme will continue to run from April 1, 2024, through to March 31, 2025, offering assistance to those struggling with the Cost of Living.

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The extension of this grant offers a helping hand to vulnerable households struggling to pay for necessities like energy, water, and essential household items.

HOW IT WORKS

Each local council receives a portion of the £421million fund, which is then distributed to residents based on need.

Some councils may provide direct cash payments, while others issue vouchers to help cover essentials like energy or food.

How the money is distributed will vary, so it’s important to check with your local authority.

For example, Birmingham City Council has announced £200 payments to help residents with winter costs.

Other councils, like Coventry, have offered community supermarket schemes, where households can pay £5 a week and get a basket of food worth up to £25.

However, there are changes to the scheme this time around.

Some councils have introduced monthly caps on funding, meaning once the allocated amount for the month is spent, applications are paused until the following month.

This is to ensure that everyone has a chance to receive support, but it does mean you should apply as soon as possible.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE?

The Household Support Fund is designed to help households in financial difficulty, particularly those on low incomes or those who don’t qualify for other forms of government assistance.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet due to rising living costs, you could be eligible for support.

You’ll likely need to prove your financial hardship when applying.

This can include showing evidence of your income, benefits, or other forms of support you’re currently receiving.

For example, if you’re receiving Universal Credit or a council tax reduction, you could qualify.

But even if you’re not on benefits, you may still be able to get help if you can demonstrate financial hardship.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the Household Support Fund are handled by your local council, and the process can vary depending on where you live.

Most councils offer online application forms, but if you need help completing an application, you can call your council’s customer service centre for assistance.

To apply, you’ll need to provide details such as your National Insurance number and may need to submit bank statements or benefit evidence.

If you’re applying for a family member or someone else, there’s also an option to upload supporting documents like benefit letters or pay slips to prove eligibility.

Some councils, such as Haringey, are issuing automatic payments to eligible residents, while others require residents to apply directly.

If you’re unsure of the process in your area, it’s best to check your local council’s website.

SUPPORT AVAILABLE

The support available through the Household Support Fund can vary depending on where you live, but most councils offer help with energy bills, food support, and household essentials.

Single people or couples without children can receive up to £120, while families may be eligible for £160.

Households can also get help with essential items like fridges, cookers, and bedding if there’s an exceptional need, such as a medical condition or a risk to a child’s wellbeing.

But it’s not just energy and food that the fund can help with.

If you need support with heating repairs, lighting repairs, or even housing costs in an emergency, the Household Support Fund may be able to help, as long as other housing schemes have been exhausted.

To find out what support is available in your area, you can use the government’s local authority checker on the gov.uk website.

Simply enter your postcode, and you’ll be directed to your council’s website, where you can find more details about the fund.

It’s worth noting that some councils are experiencing high demand for the scheme, so you may face delays in receiving your award.

For instance, vouchers for fuel support are currently taking between 5-10 working days to be issued, while applications for household appliances can take 4-6 weeks.

If you’re struggling and think you could benefit from this scheme, it’s a good idea to apply early, as councils may pause applications once the allocated monthly funds are exhausted.

So, if you’re finding it tough to make ends meet, don’t miss out on this lifeline.

Apply through your local council today and see what help you can get to ease the burden of rising living costs this winter.

B&M shoppers are rushing to buy a Christmas-themed cat toy scanning for 10p instead of £2.50.

One savvy saver recently spotted the laser chaser and flashing ball pack in their local branch.

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The shopper posted their find on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group after snapping it up for just 10p.

Plenty of fellow bargain hunters have liked and commented on the post keen to find one of the cat lasers for themselves, with one simply saying: “Need to go shopping”.

Any B&M shoppers looking to snap up one of 10p cat lasers won’t be able to find it online.

It’s not guaranteed you’ll find it in your local branch either, so it might be worth calling your local branch ahead to avoid a wasted trip.

In any case, you should always shop around before buying something like this as you might find the same, or similar, item for less at another retailer.

You can use online price comparison sites like Price Spy and Trolley to see if a product you have found is the cheapest against others.

You can also use the Google Shopping/Product tab to do a quick scan of the internet.

However, we had a quick look online to see if any other retailers are selling a cat laser for less than 10p and there weren’t any.

If you’re looking to pick up a 10p bargain on your next B&M shop, you should get the retailer’s scanner app.

It’s free to download on to your smartphone via the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Once downloaded, you can use the camera on your phone to scan barcodes in-store.

It then tells you if a product has been reduced in price, even before a member of staff has changed the label.

The app also offers you a description of the product you are scanning.

It’s quite common for shoppers to find 10p bargains in their local B&M stores.

One customer recently found a stainless steel egg slotter for just 10p instead of £2.99.

Another shopper found pet toys slashed to 10p in their local branch this summer.

Remember, you can find your nearest B&M branch by using the retailer’s store locator tool on its website.

Other ways to save money at B&M

One ex-B&M manager said the best time to visit your local store is first thing on a Wednesday.

This is when staff slash items to as little as 10p to clear excess stock and make way for new lines.

Deals expert Tom Church urged shoppers to keep an eye out for red stickers products as well.

These are put on special buy products that have also been reduced in price.

It’s worth signing up to Facebook pages dedicated to hunting for bargains from B&M and other discounters too.

Some of the best ones to join are B&M Bargains, Extreme Money Saving Deals and More and Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group.

A THIN loop on your 50p could mean it’s worth 280 times its normal value.

The King Charles III 50p features a salmon on one half of the “tails” side, with interconnecting letter Cs on the other half to represent King Charles.

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Behind the salmon, a thin loop is etched onto the coin to represent water.

Now, one of these coins has sold for a whopping £142 on eBay.

The sale was completed on October 12, after the listing attracted 12 bids.

It comes as the Sun exclusively revealed this week that the King Charles III 50p, also known as the Atlantic Salmon, had skyrocketed to top position in the list of the UK’s rarest 50p coins still in circulation.

A Changechecker spokesperson said: “The circulation 2023 Salmon 50p has knocked the legendary Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot, meaning Britain has a new rarest 50p for the first time in 15 years.

“It was announced on October 7, 2024 that just 200,000 2023 Salmon 50ps entered circulation in November 2023.

“Due to it’s incredibly low mintage, just one in 335 people in the UK could have the chance of finding one in their change.

“When the Kew Gardens 50p was first issued in 2009, collectors didn’t initially realise just how rare it would be, and many people who found one in their change parted with it and later kicked themselves.

“Now, 15 years later, the Kew Gardens coin regularly sells for between £150 to £250 on the secondary market, so it’s no surprise that they’re already selling on the secondary market for up to £200.

“For many, snagging a Salmon coin could be a second chance at coin-collecting glory.

“In terms of identifying rare coins, we would urge collectors to check mintage figures as well as keep up to date with our Scarcity Index which is updated quarterly.”

As well as the £142, another Atlantic Salmon recently sold on eBay for a huge £164.

The coin entered general circulation at the end of 2023 as part of a new series of coins marking the ascension of King Charles to the throne.

It was struck with a salmon to highlight the fish’s declining population.

Other rare 50ps have also been gaining traction online recently, including a Blue Peter 50p which sold for £216.

STATE pensioners with bad eyesight may qualify for free cash worth £434 a month through a Government benefit.

Those who need help at home due to a disability or illness can claim Attendance Allowance (AA).

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The benefit covers the extra costs brought on by having a disability severe enough you need someone to help look after you.

It is paid at two different rates – £72.65 or £108.55 a week – and the amount you get depends on the level of care you require.

The lower rate is for those needing frequent help or constant supervision due the day, or supervision at night.

The higher rate applies if you need help or supervision throughout both the day and night.

The higher rate of AA is worth an extra £434 a month, or £5,208 a year.

Those with poor eyesight who struggle to carry out everyday tasks such as choosing clothes, reading and replying to emails can apply for AA.

You don’t have to be registered as blind or partially sighted to claim the benefit – it is how your sight affects your daily life.

Those that claim AA can also get Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a council tax reduction.

Who is eligible for AA?

AA is for people who have reached state pension age, currently 66, and have a physical disability, including blindness or other sight conditions, a mental disability, including learning difficulties, or both.

However, AA doesn’t cover those struggling with their mobility.

You’re eligible for AA if you need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you due to your disability.

One of the conditions is that you must have needed that help for at least six months.

You could also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get AA.

If you have a sight condition and are under 66, you could apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.

How to claim Attendance Allowance

You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post.

To apply, you’ll need:

• your National Insurance number
• your address and contact details
• details of the health condition or disability that you need extra help for
• details of your GP surgery or medical centre

After submitting your claim, you’ll receive a text or a letter within three weeks that explains when you can expect a decision.

If you’re awarded AA, the decision letter will explain when you can expect your first payment.

Claims start on the day you submit them if doing so online.

If you apply by post, the claim will start on the date the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receives it.

If you call the helpline to get a form, your claim will start on the date of your call, as long as you return the form within six weeks.

Those who have 12 months or less to leave can’t apply online but need to complete a form.

They also need to ask their doctor for form SR1, which they will either fill in and give the patient, or send directly to the DWP.

If you struggle to fill in the claim form, you can ask for help at your nearest Citizens Advice branch.

Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so you can claim it even if you have other money you have coming in or in your savings.

It is tax-free and you’ll be exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.

However, you can’t apply for AA if you already get PIP or DLA to pay for your care. 

If you’re getting DLA and apply for AA, the DWP will reassess your DLA.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

ANGRY neighbours say a derelict house on a town’s most “prestigious street” has been abandoned for 20 years – and left looking like a bombsite.

Residents have demanded a landlord sell the home in Swindon, Wiltshire, after it’s become a major eyesore.

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They are also calling for urgent repairs on the property and for it to be taken over by the council after complaints of inaction against the landlord.

One neighbour Chris Evans, 67, says the shuttered, graffitied and burnt building is a damning indictment on the town.

He wants something urgently done about the house under the council’s empty homes scheme after it has sat unoccupied for at least 20 years.

Chris said: “This is one of the most prestigious roads in Swindon and for the council to allow that to happen is pretty disgraceful.”

A view from a neighbouring house shows a large crater in the garden and first-floor doors opening into thin air.

The nearby property puts off potential tenants and Chris believes it is damaging his business.

Another nearby resident Agne said: “It has become some sort of like freakish attraction for people to have a laugh and point at.”

The house is not only said to be unsightly but also dangerous.

Agne has lived next door for 10 years and has seen squatters living there.

She said: “You don’t know if you are going to be attacked walking home.

“If that house goes on fire straight away it will spread into our house.

“This house needs to be knocked down. The council needs to get involved.”

Latest pictures show an empty former garage, a large hole that fills with water and smashed windows and internal brickwork left exposed.

The garden and house were left in this state after an extension was demolished.

The work also reportedly caused “awful smelling” raw sewage and gas to leak from the house.

Squatters, fires lit, drug dens and vandalism have all been reported – which have left their visible marks on the house.

The chief executive of the council Samantha Mowbray has admitted that Swindon Borough Council does not have enough money to do the work itself.

The owner was contacted but refused to comment.

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Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

PENNY* JOHNSON was horrified when she became responsible for a family friend suffering with dementia – and quickly realised he was falling victim to scams on a regular basis.

Penny took in neighbour Michael, who she had known for 50 years, when his health began to deteriorate after being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

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Mike’s health deteriorated after his wife died, leaving him distraught.

“That was really when I got involved. Up until then I popped in to see them every now and again and we led different lives, but when Jane died, she asked me if I would look after Mike,” she said.

“But things started to deteriorate and he was soon being scammed by people coming to the door and trying to lay a new driveway, he would lose his keys and he had a few rogue locksmiths.

“Then, a couple of years ago, he started getting some quite nasty scam phone calls, like trying to get him to pay his gas and electricity.

“We looked together at his bank statement and realised money was coming out left right and centre – several thousand pounds had disappeared.”

It was then that Penny looked into how she could get help protecting Mike’s finances.

She contacted charity The Alzheimer’s Society, and they suggested a new type of card by a firm called Sister.

Sibstar is a debit card and app for people with dementia and their carers. It allows the carer to help manage the person they are caring for’s every-day spending.

So, if the person makes a transaction, the carer can review it and figure out if they’re being taken advantage of, or are overspending by accident.

“From then, when Mike tried to give out his card details, it didn’t work,” Penny said.

“For example, he was charged £57 for a trip that should have only cost him £5 or £6 – but I got a notification from the Sibstar app, and I realised he had been overcharged by mistake.

“He wouldn’t have realised that, but I was able to sort it out for him.”

With Sibstar, you can also switch off the ability to withdraw from an ATM, as that is a classic way scammers target people for their cash.

“If he needs cash, I take him to the ATM and we can go and get some if he needs it,” Penny said.

“We kept the contactless so he can be independent and do his own shopping, but we’ve blocked using it online, which is where he lost thousands of pounds.” 

What is Sibstar?

Sibstar was created by Jane Sibley, who watched her own mum suffer from dementia and start erratically spending her money.

She would forget she’d bought things, accidentally overspend, and would even withdraw large amounts of money several times away and hand them out to people on the street.

The CEO of Sibstar, who lives in Southampton wanted to create something to help prevent this while allowing the personal with dementia the dignity to remain financially independent.

“It is critical that people with dementia remain financially included in the world and have the financial tools to allow them to do that,” she said.

Ms Sibley presented her idea on TV show Dragon’s Den earlier this year, where she won a £125,000 investment into growing the business.

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Dragons’ Den investors, Sara Davies and Deborah Meaden backed the business, saying it could “transform lives”.

The business is now backed by the Alzheimer’s Society, which signposts people to its cards.

To use the card and app, there is a £4.99 card set-up fee, and a £4.99 monthly subscription fee.

Withdrawals from an ATM with the card also cost 99p.

However, Sibstar’s website says 7.5% of this goes back to the Alzheimer’s Society.

*Name changed on request

Is it ageing or dementia?

Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s – comes on slowly over time.

As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe. 

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But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.

The US National Institute on Aging gives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.

You can refer to these above.

For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.

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Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told The Sun: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.

“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.

“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.

“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.

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“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn’t belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”