16 October 2023 , 10:48
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Families in England who are struggling with the cost of essentials are being urged to reach out to their local council for support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that over 26 million awards have been given out from the household support fund since it was launched in October 2021.
The fund is designed to help those most in need, using local knowledge to make direct contact with people in the community. It's not just for those on benefits - anyone who can't afford essentials like energy and water bills, food, toiletries or warm clothes could get help.
As part of its household support fund awareness week, the DWP is encouraging vulnerable people across England to contact their councils to find out what support they can get. Each council may have different eligibility criteria and application processes, and some distribute money through local charities and community groups.
To find your local authority, you can enter your postcode at gov.uk/find-local-council.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride said: "The best way we can protect family finances is by driving down inflation, but as it reduces, we recognise that cost-of-living pressures remain for some of the most vulnerable households."
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Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies stated: "This household support fund awareness week, I do encourage anyone in the country who is struggling to cover costs to speak to their local council about what extra support is available in their area. I know local MPs will be keen to do the same, so their constituents know the additional help available on their doorstep."
The Government has teamed up with Amazon to offer energy-saving advice through Alexa. By asking Alexa how to save money on their energy bill, users will receive the latest Government tips on preparing their home for winter and reducing long-term energy use. This service is available on Amazon Echo devices and mobiles via the free Alexa app.
Information about assistance with living costs can also be found on the Help For Households website and other public information campaigns.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]