New Financial Support for Working Households in East Riding
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has announced a significant new initiative to help working families struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis. The local authority is offering one-off £250 Household Support Fund payments specifically targeted at households that do not receive Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits or Universal Credit.
Eligibility Criteria for the £250 Payment
The council has established specific criteria that applicants must meet to qualify for this financial assistance. The payment is designed to support residents with essential daily living costs including food, energy bills, and other necessities.
To be eligible for the £250 payment, applicants must:
- Be a resident living within the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's council tax boundary
- Be responsible for paying council tax, rent, or both
- Be employed but not receiving any means-tested benefits
- Have a gross annual income below £28,000 for single households or below £33,000 for other households (including lone parents)
- Have savings of less than £1,000
- Be experiencing genuine financial difficulty and unable to meet essential living costs
Important Exclusions and Income Calculations
The council has clarified several important aspects of the application process. Crucially, households that have already received payments from the Household Support Fund or the council's Emergency Assistance Scheme since 1 April 2025 will not be eligible for this additional support.
When calculating income for eligibility purposes, the council will consider:
- All wages and salaries before deductions
- Profits from self-employment or business activities
- Interest payments and investment income
- Rental income from properties
- Other forms of earnings before tax deductions
Importantly, certain disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Attendance Allowance (AA) will not be counted as income when assessing applications.
Application Process and Requirements
Prospective applicants must complete an official form to begin the process. The council emphasizes that applicants will receive a reference number upon form completion or saving, which must be quoted when submitting supporting evidence.
Essential documentation required includes:
- Evidence of income from all sources
- Bank account statements
- Proof of residency within the East Riding area
- Documentation showing responsibility for council tax or rent payments
The council has made it clear that applications will not be processed without this supporting evidence, which must be emailed to the designated council address provided in the application materials.
This initiative represents a targeted approach to supporting working households who find themselves in financial difficulty despite being employed, addressing a gap in traditional benefit support systems during challenging economic times.
