Thousands of families to get up to £100 direct payment to help with cost of living – are you one of them?

THOUSANDS of households can apply for up to £100 to help with the cost of living - find out if you're eligible now.

The helping hand could be a lifeline for families suffering financial hardship amid soaring bills and prices.

It comes after the Department for Work and Pensions rolled out a six month extension of the Household Support Fund, HSF - now available to eligible applicants in Trafford, Manchester.

Trafford council were given an extra £1,458,075 boost to allocate towards Free School Meals Holiday Awards, direct support to low income households, those on the Trafford Assist Emergency Scheme, and community hubs.

It is running up to September 30 later this year or until funds run out.

How to apply

Free school meals will help support parents and caregivers during May and Summer holidays.

Those who are already registered as having means tested free school meals, or receive Council Tax Support, are eligible for £30 vouchers per child during the May holiday and £60 in the summer.

Applications are to be made online, and more details can be accessed through your child's school.

Meanwhile, extra support for low income households, pensioners, disabled carers and care leaver households can claim one free payment.

This one-off helping hand is to go towards essential bills such as energy, food and water.

The amount of money awarded, between £50 and £100, will be based on data already with the council, for example how many people are in the household.

Eligible applicants can expect to see their vouchers rolled out in September.

For convivence there is no need to apply, eligible residents will have their voucher automatically sent.

In addition, residents on the Trafford Assist Emergency Local Welfare Scheme will see their help towards food and fuel boosted by between £50 and £100.

There will also be more funding poured into Community Hubs, which offer activities and essential services.

They are encouraged to visit the Community Hubs website and enquire about the Household Support Grant.

More information can be found through Trafford Council's Welfare Rights Team.

It comes after thousands of households were supported by the same scheme in the Isle of Wight in May.

And, Peterborough residents were also offered an extension of the HSF this month.

What is the Household Support Fund?

Households in need can claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.

The funding is supplied from a £421million pot by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.

Councils up and down the country get a portion of the cash to allocate to vulnerable households.

For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.

Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.

Get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.

You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool on its website.

The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.