The Household Support Fund is being used by councils to provide free meals over the school holidays and for one-off payments of £150, £250 or £300 for some vulnerable groups
The Department for Work and Pensions is encouraging struggling households across the country to check if they could be in line for vital help from their local council through the Household Support Fund. Some Greater Manchester residents may be in line for one-off payments of up to £300 as part of the additional support.
Read more: Energy debt "crushing vulnerable households" amid desperate calls for government intervention The Manchester Evening News contacted every council in the borough for details on how the money will be used to support households. Here we break down what's on offer in all 10 of the region's boroughs.
The council has clarified that residents do not need to receive benefits to apply for help from the fund, however, they will need to provide evidence that they do not have the funds themselves to purchase essential items. It added that residents will not be handed cash payments, but support can be provided in the form of vouchers.
Bolton Bolton Council has been awarded £5.56 million which it will use to provide a wide range of services. This includes help with the cost of food, gas, electricity, or household goods, as well as Local Welfare Provision, the council said. Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, said: “I’d like to thank the amazing people and organisations that are pulling together to help our local communities cope better with the challenges related to the higher cost of living. While much help is targeted at vulnerable people, the rising cost of goods and services has touched us all and it is heartwarming to hear from people who have benefited from the Household Support Fund.
Oldham Oldham Council is providing a wide range of support as part of the Household Support Fund granted by the DWP, which it says is being used to help vulnerable people and families in the borough.A one-off payment of £60 will be given to carers and disabled residents who receive Council Tax Reduction to help with fuel costs. A payment of £60 will also be given to Housing Benefit claimants who are not in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.
Councillor Rachel Massey, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “As a responsible council, we ensure that vulnerable families with young children are supported and protected. We provide a £15 supermarket voucher, per week, during school holidays to all children on free school meals.
The vouchers can be exchanged for cash support to go towards household bills. The council said the first vouchers worth £97.50 were sent out in July and a second round will be distributed to eligible families in December, meaning each child will receive £195 in total.
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