Halton Borough Council has set out how it will be supporting children and their families, pensioners and vulnerable households across the borough this winter.

Following the Government’s announcement of an extension to the Household Support Fund, a spending plan has been approved by the Council to ensure funds are allocated to the most vulnerable in the community.

The Government through the Department for Work and Pensions has allocated a Household Support Fund for the period between 1st October 2024 and 31st March 2025. It is intended to help councils, like ours, support our communities most in need to navigate the cost of living this winter.

Free meal vouchers will be available to over 7000 eligible Halton pupils who currently receive free school meals, to support them and their families through each of the school holidays until March 2025. Meal vouchers for the value of £12 per week were issued, through schools for the October half term and the same will happen over the Christmas and Spring breaks.

The Council is also supporting pensioners with a £130 award for those who are in receipt of council tax reduction or housing benefit. This payment will be awarded before Christmas 2024 to anyone who qualifies and will be paid automatically directly into the pensioner’s bank account. Pensioners are also being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for Pension Credit which provides extra money to help with living costs for those over State Pension age and on a low income.

Executive Board Member and Councillor Mark Dennett said: “We welcome the extension of the Household Support Fund and we are committed to ensuring we allocate the funds where they will have the most impact. We know winter is a particularly hard time for many people, which is why we want to do everything we can to support the people who need it most.

“If you are in need of support this winter we urge people to contact us and find more information on what help is available to them through our Cost of Living hub”

Find more information on the Household Support Fund, as well as further support and advice on the challenges of the current cost of living, visit our dedicated hub at www.halton.gov.uk/costofliving