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<p>The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living
and has taken further decisive action to support people with their energy bills.</p><p>
</p><p>For people who require additional support in England, the current Household
Support Fund runs from April 2023 until the end of March 2024. This allows local authorities
to continue to provide discretionary support to those struggling to afford the cost
of essentials including energy bills and wider related essentials.</p><p> </p><p>The
Household Support Fund is an intentionally flexible scheme designed to enable Local
Authorities to respond to local need within the overall framework set by Department
for Work and Pensions, since they can use their ties and knowledge to best determine
how this support should be provided to local communities. The current scheme is the
largest ever, worth £842 million across the current financial year. Of this, the allocation
for Havering from April 2023 to March 2024 is £3,296,302, bringing their total allocation
since October 2021 to £8,240,755.</p><p> </p><p>Cold Weather Payments are also available
to help vulnerable people in receipt of certain income-related benefits in England
and Wales to meet additional heating costs, during periods of unseasonably cold weather
between 1 November and 31 March. Those eligible will automatically receive £25 when
the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over
seven consecutive days.</p><p> </p><p>8.9 million pensioner households received a
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment as a top up to their Winter Fuel Payment from
November 2023. Increasing payments to £500 for households with someone aged 66-79
and £600 for households with someone aged 80 and over.</p>
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