Families struggling with the cost of living to get free £105 payment next month

25 June 2024 , 11:02

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Help through the Households Support Fund is being offered by each council in the UK (Image: Getty Images)

Families struggling with the cost of living are to receive £105 support payment from next month.

The help comes from the Government's Household Support Fund scheme which gives local councils extra cash to spend on helping those struggling the most with rising costs. The help provided is decided by each individual council so the support varies across the country.

In Stockport, the Household Support Fund scheme is offering help to low income families with children. According to Stockport Council's website, households eligible include those with children receiving Free School Meals (FSM), early years and Post-16 equivalent, and those (with children) in receipt of Local Council Tax Support and/or Housing Benefit.

These households will receive a £105 voucher per child at the end of July - this means if a household has three children they could receive vouchers worth £315 overall. Vouchers for households who get free school means will be sent over email if the council has it, while households claiming Council Tax support/ Housing Benefit will get their voucher through the post. These vouchers can then be redeemed at any local Post Office.

Households who are not eligible for this help in Stockport are being encouraged to contact the council through its cost of living advice line. If people reach out, Stockport council says it can provide a range of support which includes referrals to food banks, aid with gas and electricity costs, and assistance with Council Tax or rent support. To reach the advice line, call 0161 474 2140 Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4pm

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If you are not a resident of Stockport, you will not be able to claim this help however your local council will be offering its own help through the Household Support fund. Local authorities are starting to announce what support they are giving between now and September 2024 when the scheme will end. To find out what this is you should go to your local council's website. Usually, they will have a separate cost of living tab which details the help on offer.

Ruby Flanagan