Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a line of new measures this week to help tackle the rising cost of living crisis affecting households all across the UK. In his spring statement, Mr Sunak examined the state of the British economy as well as focusing on the rise in inflation and soaring energy bills.
One key announcement made by the Chancellor was the plan to double the £500 million Household Support Fund to help ease the burden on vulnerable families. The Household Support fund is a grant provided to support people recovering from the impacts of the pandemic and rising bills.
It was previously announced last year by work and pensions minister Therese Coffey. At the time, she said: "Our targeted Household Support Fund is here to help those vulnerable households with essential costs as we push through the last stages of our recovery from the pandemic.”
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Mr Sunak added last week: “Our new Household Support Fund will provide a lifeline for those at risk of struggling to keep up with their bills over the winter, adding to the support the government is already providing to help people with the cost of living.”
The fund is distributed by local authorities, who will receive a part of the now £1bn extra funding from April. It is also the local authorities who decide whether someone is eligible for the fund's support or not.
Factors that decide whether you are eligible for the fund include whether you are dependent on any form of benefits - each council also has its own way of determining who is eligible so results may vary depending on where in the country where you live.
It's also important to note that the fund does not provide a large amount of money and is there to simply ease the burden of short-term needs such as food and bills. To apply online, visit your local authority's website. Here are all the links to Greater Manchester's local authority's criteria for the Household Support fund, which allows you to apply online:
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