Further support is now available to help residents meet the challenges posed by the ongoing cost of living squeeze.

Middlesbrough Council is administering a £1.6 million slice of the Government’s £500 million Household Support Fund.

In line with Government guidance, the fund is being split three ways between families with young children, pensioners and single people and couples who need extra financial support due to their circumstances.

Phase 1 of the scheme has already been completed, with one-off vouchers for £60 per child being issued from Friday, May 27 to parents of children in receipt of income-related Free School Meals based on information provided by the schools.

The Council is now moving on to Phase 2 of the scheme which is open from this week (Monday, June 13).

These grants are aimed at pensioners, households with children who are not of school age or who pay for school meals and households without children.

• Pensioners - if you’ve reached state pension age, apply using the pensioner Household Support Fund application form

• Households with children - if you have children outside of school age or pay for school meals, apply using the Household Support Fund application form

In addition, Middlesbrough Council is also providing targeted support through its recently developed welfare solution, which considers all of a resident’s situation rather than focusing on one specific element.

This includes a range of support for residents to help with the rising cost of living – more information is available on the cost of living page.

For full details of the Household Support Fund scheme together with how to apply for support, visit the Household Support Fund page.