Struggling Wigan families offered cash lifeline boost

The Government’s Household Support Fund is providing an extra £66m to 24 local authorities in the North West, including £2,818,234.30 for Wigan Council.

The money will help the 700,000 households living in poverty in the region with the cost of energy, water and food bills, as part of the £421m extension to the Household Support Fund across England.

As well as providing emergency assistance, the fund, which runs from October 1 to March 31, will support community groups and projects to help struggling households.

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said: “Despite all the problems we have inherited, this Government has invested an extra half a billion pounds in the Household Support Fund, so we can help families and the poorest pensioners who need it most this winter.

“This £66m boost will support families who need it in the North West with the costs of feeding children, heating homes or helping people get to work.

“This comes alongside our work to fix the foundations of our country, grow the economy and deliver opportunities for people to get work and get on in work, so everyone feels better off."

More information about the support on offer to Wigan residents and how to apply is available at www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Benefit-Grants/Welfare-Reform/Household-support-fund.aspx

Funding can also be allocated to charities and third sector organisations to provide a range of services and products, like baby boxes, heating appliances and school uniforms.