Dorset Council’s next round of the Household Support Fund is about to reopen.

The government scheme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provides support in the form of supermarket vouchers across the Dorset Council area.

Citizens Advice will be allocating this fund on behalf of Dorset Council and vouchers will be issued to residents who meet the eligibility criteria within six to eight weeks.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services said: “As Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens on Tuesday, December 5, we want to make sure every resident in Dorset Council area gets the support they deserve.

"If you're facing challenges, this initiative offers supermarket vouchers to help with essentials. If you are applying in December, please make sure you have not applied for a previous HSF payment since June 2023 as further vouchers cannot be issued and there are a very limited number of applications available for this window.

“If you do miss out on this window, another will open on Wednesday 3 January 2024 at 10am.”

Dorset Council households will be able to apply if they have an annual household net income of less than £30,000, savings of less than £16,000 and have not applied for a previous HSF payment within the last 6 months.

Residents should apply online, and to find out more details, including future application window dates, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/household-support-fund

If you need help completing the form, you can telephone customer services on 01305 221000 or visit a customer access point.