Residents in the Lancaster district experiencing financial hardship can apply for help to pay for essential living costs.
Lancaster City Council has been allocated funds from the Department for Work and Pensions to offer the financial assistance to residents struggling to make ends meet and help them through the cost-of-living crisis, through the Household Support Fund.
The Household Support Fund aims to help with short-term living costs and pay for essential items such as food, energy and water bills or household appliances such as fridges and cookers.
To be eligible to apply for help from the scheme, applicants must be aged 16 years and over, live in the Lancaster district and be able to demonstrate that they are struggling to afford such necessities or to pay their bills.
For more information and to apply online, visit lancaster.gov.uk/hsf A useful set of frequently asked questions is also available here to help applicants apply.
Whilst applying online is the easiest way to apply, anyone having difficulty can call the council on 01524 582000 between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (phonelines open at 10am on Wednesdays).
Applicants can also seek help by visiting our customer service centres at Lancaster Town Hall between the hours of 9am – 1pm on those days.
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and awards are at the discretion of the council.
The council is also working in partnership with North Lancashire Citizens Advice and the Lancaster District Food Justice Partnership to offer longer term support for residents in the greatest need.


Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash

