Four new cost of living payments are being handed to households through in June and July in a welcome boost to people’s finances.

This spring the Government announced a new tranche of cost of living boosts following the end of the previous Cost Of Living payments paid through the DWP.

Instead, support will be issued via local councils using the Household Support Fund, which was renewed in the Spring Budget.

It means central government hands cash to local authorities to distribute as they see fit, and set their own criteria for households to be eligible for the money.

One authority which has announced its scheme’s details is Wakefield Council. The authority is giving out a £75 supermarket voucher to all households currently in receipt of Council Tax Support.

The first £75 voucher is being issued to pensioners between June 3 and June 12, 2024.

Then, people with disabilities will get theirs between June 17 and 26, followed by all other households except for families with one child on June 28.

Finally, families with at least one child will get theirs on July 18.

The Household Support fund doesn’t stop at the voucher, though. The council announced that direct support will also be made available for people struggling with the cost of toiletries and baby essentials, key bills like utilities and phones, gas and electricity, clothes, white goods appliances like fridges and washing machines and beds.

Other authorities like Sheffield Council and Leeds Council offer direct cash support via their websites.

Leeds Council says: “We will make a single payment of either £75 or £100 to households living in Leeds who are in receipt of Council Tax Support. Households with children and pensioner households will receive £100 and working age households without children will receive £75.”

Each local authority in the UK will have a slightly different scheme with different eligibility criteria and different payouts, with many due to announce theirs this week, so check with your local council to see if you’re eligible for the fund where you live.