When is the Household Support Fund due to end and could it be extended?

A vital support fund that has helped millions of households pay their bills and keep food on the table during the cost of living crisis is due to end this month.

The Household Support Fund (HSF), which has garnered £2.5 billion in welfare support through local authorities since its conception in 2021, is due to end on March 31. The money was handed out to individual local authorities, who were then able to use the cash to help support the most vulnerable people struggling with the cost of living in the UK.

Many councils used the fund to issue vouchers so struggling parents could keep their children fed during the holidays while also providing outreach programs for children who need it. The money was also used to hand out one-off cost of living payments or help households pay for energy bills to keep their homes warm.

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With the fund due to end, fears have been raised by councillors who warned many families will seriously struggle without it.

Salford Mayor Paul Dennett warned of "huge consequences" for his city. Mr Dennett said: "To this day, the government hasn't given us clarity about that £5.4 million. If that's withdrawn, it will have huge consequences for the city of Salford.

"What we've been doing with that money is supporting young people who are entitled to free school meals, to ensure they're still entitled to that provision in the holiday periods when they're out of school. We've been doing that through issuing vouchers to enable parents to go to the shops and buy food to feed their children and loved ones. If