Households in Plymouth are being offered up to £440 in new cost of living payments from their local council.
The payments form part of the Government’s Household Support Fund, which has been extended for another year to support families while costs remain high.
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 pot is available from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
Councils in England decide how best to allocate their portion of the fund, with the amount received based on the size of the population within its catchment area and its needs.
Plymouth is offering residents in need £240 worth of supermarket vouchers and up to £200 worth of energy bill support.
Households can also apply essential white appliances or furniture, including delivery and installation.
Additionally, the local authority is offering its constituents vouchers to buy clothes.
Households can only apply for this fund if they did not access support in the previous rounds of the Household Support Fund anytime between November 2023 and September 2024.
Only one application can be made per household and they must live in Plymouth.
Applications for this fund opened in phases and currently, single applicants who receive help with housing costs can apply.
They must provide evidence of their living situation in the form of a housing benefit award letter, or their most recent Universal Credit payment showing their name and the breakdown of the award. People can apply here.
Citizens Advice Plymouth, which is supporting with the application process, said it aims to contact households within eight weeks of receiving the request.
Britons living in other parts of the country can check their council’s website or call their office to find out what support is available locally to them through the fund.
