THOUSANDS of households are set to get one-off payments worth £150 with pensioners and schoolchildren set to benefit.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has given Bolton Council in Greater Manchester £2.8m under the prolonged cost of living crisis.
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DWP bosses have told the local authority that they can use the cash to help different groups across the community.
Town hall bosses have now decided to use the lump sum to help locals over the next 26 weeks.
The plans include:
Children in Bolton eligible for free school meals will get vouchers to the value of £15 per child to cover the May half-term holidays and £60 per child to cover the summer holidays.
Around 10,000 pensioners will receive council tax support and pension credit.
Around 9,000 pensioners residents in receipt of a disability related benefit will get £25 supermarket vouchers
The council will invest £250,000 in the Bolton Fund to provide a specific household support fund round which includes £25,000 to cover administration costs
Community groups will receive grants up to £15,000
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A £165,000 budget will be used to boost the council’s Holidays, Activity and Fun (HAF) summer programme
And a £100,000 will be used to provide a range of grants for boiler repairs
A £100,000 budget is to be made available to support residents with emergency housing costs
£50,000 will be spent to support care leavers with cost of living related pressures
A council spokesman, said: “Energy bills may of particular concern to low income households during the period of the scheme
and councils should especially consider how they can support households with food and the cost of energy.
“It is important to stress this covers a wide range of low income households and there is no requirement to be in receipt of welfare benefits.
“Authorities can deliver the scheme through a variety of routes including providing vouchers to households, making direct provision of food or issuing grants to third parties.
“The DWP considers that councils have the local ties and knowledge, making them best placed to identify and help those most in need.”
