Households across the UK are being offered up to £500 in cost of living payments in January to spend on food, energy bills and other essentials.

The Household Support Fund has been extended for 2025. The scheme sees the DWP send monies to local councils across the UK for the authorities to distribute to those in needs as it sees fit.

Because the scheme devolves power to local authorities, each local council has a different set of eligibility criteria as well as a different amount of money it…