The Household Support Fund is targeted at the most vulnerable households and is typically used to help them with the cost of essentials like groceries, toiletries, and warm clothes, as well as provide further support with energy bills.

Councils in England will decide how best to spend their allocation of the fund – now worth £2billion across its lifetime – by drawing from local knowledge and making direct contact with people in the community.

Basingstoke and Deane Council awarded £1million in grants through the Cost of Living Assistance Fund to support residents with food and energy bills in 2023/2023.

Now another £1million is available for 2023 to 2024 to help households in the borough struggling with bills, with grants available to help pay for food and energy costs.

Under the new scheme, one-off grants will be available for residents if they meet certain criteria.

Households with two or more adults can get up to £1,000 for households if they have a joint income of up to £35,000.

Single households can get up to £500 with an income of up to £25,000.

Residents must either be liable for council tax for their home in the borough or have utility bills in their name and have less than £20,000 in savings.

Joint tenants in a property who do not combine income can apply as single households.

Income does not include certain benefits, including disability benefits on behalf of a child, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Carer’s Allowance, Child Benefit or Child Maintenance.

Additionally, thousands of residents in Dudley can also get free cash paid directly to their bank accounts to help with the cost of living. Eligible households can get up to £175 depending on their circumstances.

Each council runs its own Household Support Scheme. Local authorities are given a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.

Britons are urged to check with their local council to see what help is available.

Millions are also in line to receive cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.

The first instalment of the £900 payment has been paid to millions on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.

Meanwhile, a £150 payment is currently being issued to millions with disabilities.

Pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment later this year.