FAMILIES can cash in for a free payment worth up to £300 amid the cost of living crisis.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool Council (BCP) is providing financial aid to households unable to meet basic costs.
It comes as part of the seventh round of Household Support Fund (HSF) grants for the region.
The council’s initiative is funded by the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
It will help struggling families until Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The scheme aims to provide low-income households with vital short-term financial support.
It will also give practical advice on money management and energy efficiency.
Council leader Cllr Millie Earl said: “I’m pleased the HSF has been extended for a seventh round to support people with the cost of living.”
She added: “The initiative can provide struggling households with crucial financial support, as well as practical advice and guidance from experts to help residents make their money go further.”
The council is teaming up with its community and voluntary sector partners through the Together We Can partnership.
They will offer a range of support for struggling households amid the high cost of living.
The benefits for eligible families will include household grants for essential bills and food support.
Wraparound support will also available – addressing issues such as benefits advice, homelessness, domestic abuse, and practical budgeting and debt management guidance.
The HSF also offers grant vouchers worth a whopping £150 to eligible residents in two separate rounds over the funding period.
This means households could be entitled to up to £300 in cost of living support over the year.
Those who want to apply have to do so within the application windows – which are open at specific periods throughout the year.
The HSF also provides a school holiday food voucher scheme for families with children.
Families who are eligible could receive £15 for every child they have during the May half-term holidays.
The HSF also supports heat-saving upgrades – including loft or cavity wall insulation and other energy-saving measures to keep bills down.
BCP Council is also working in collaboration with Dorset Community Foundation to provide small grants to community and volunteering organisations that are helping residents with cost of living issues.
Eligible organisations can apply for up to £12,000 worth of HSF grant funding.
