Thousands of Britons are being urged to check if they can claim money or vouchers from their local council this winter.
The Household Support Fund, which has been extended for a fourth year, is targeted at the most vulnerable households and is typically used to help them with the cost of essentials like groceries, toiletries, and energy bills.
The Government has added a further £421million to the pot, which is allocated to local authorities across England to distribute to constituents most in need.
The scheme is running from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
Councils in England decide how best to allocate their fund – now worth £3.5billion across its lifetime – by drawing from local knowledge and making direct contact with people in the community.
The portion of funding each council receives is based on the size of the population within its catchment area and its needs.
For a few examples of how local authorities have previously used the fund, Birmingham City Council distributed grants of up to £200 to help households with food costs and energy payments.
During the last round, Shropshire Council offered a sizeable £400 to families in need, while Waverley Borough Council distributed up to £550 worth of payments. Other local authorities have distributed supermarket vouchers or extended free school meals.
People can find out how much their area was awarded at GOV.UK and are being urged to check their council’s website or call their office to find out what support is available locally to them through the fund.
Commenting on the move to offer more support to households this winter through the fund, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall MP, said: “It is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living.
“This Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society.
“At the same time, we are taking action to fix the foundations of our country through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay, and Get Britain Working again.”
The Government said it is exploring options around how best to provide sustainable support to vulnerable households in the longer term.
The ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce is said to be developing a strategy to tackle the root causes of poverty. Meanwhile, the Get Britain Working White Paper, to be set out in the Autumn, will develop measures to reduce inactivity and help people to find better-paid and more secure jobs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “The £22billion blackhole inherited from the previous governments means we have to take tough decisions to fix the foundations of our economy.
“But extending the Household Support Fund is the right thing to do – provide targeted support for those who need it most as we head into the winter months.”
The Chancellor will announce the new Government’s Autumn Statement on October 31, where she will outline new tax and spending changes for the next fiscal year.
