Slough Borough Council has announced the extension of the Household Support Fund (HSF) grant to support those most in need in the area.

The grant helps families and vulnerable individuals who struggle to pay for basic living costs, such as food, energy, water bills and essential goods.

The £1,177,691.53 grant is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Applications are open until March 31, 2023.

Councillor Zaffar Ajaib, lead member for customer services, procurement and performance, said: “The grants will be welcomed at this time of rising costs and they are particularly for those households who are most vulnerable to help them through exceptional hardship.

"We would encourage people to check the eligibility criteria online and apply before the March deadline to benefit from this support.”

More than half of the funding will be used to provide £15 per week, per child, in food vouchers to households in receipt of Free School Meals, of which there are currently 7,100 eligible.

It will also provide a fund for the direct provision of support to care leavers and other vulnerable families known to the relevant teams.

The remaining fund will provide support to individuals and families who are eligible for assistance through the existing discretionary application process.

The grants will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, providing the criteria is met.

Claim forms and more details about the Household Support Fund is available on the HSF webpage.