AN East Lancashire Council has started distributing its £3.2million allocation from the government's Household Support Scheme to help residents with the rising cost of living.

The scheme gives support to people who are struggling with costs including food and bills.

The government announced that the fund would be extended from April 2023 and the £3.2m package will run over the next two years.

It is aimed at households in work with an annual income threshold below £26,057 gross pay (before tax and National Insurance) for a single person in work household and £38,870 (before tax and NI) for more than one person in work households.

Evidence of all household income will need to be provided.

Other households in receipt of income based benefits with at least one minimum criteria will be considered.

The criteria include physical disability, learning disability. long term health condition impacted by cold, reliance on electrical equipment to support independent living- evidence,vulnerable adults or children supported by mental health services, vulnerable families supported by social worker or family support- evidence name, vulnerable adult supported by social worker or adult health and social care-,children under five including and pregnant mums,carers, people recently come off benefits and entered employment, and intermittent workers, and those on zero hour contracts or with variable income.

The scheme can provide practical help and advice to support residents with the rising costs of food, energy and other household bills.

This includes gas and electricity costs, water costs, boiler inspection and energy efficiency, reduction of utility bills, affordable food options, white goods and children’s beds and support to stay healthy and well.

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council's wellbeing boss, said: "This extension of the Household Support Scheme is very welcome and it will help us to give support to as many people as possible.

"The cost of living crisis is continuing and we know so many people in our borough are being affected.

"Please apply if you think you are eligible and we will do everything we can to help.”