Low-income households in Dorset will be able to apply for more supermarket vouchers as part of a national funding scheme.

The Department for Work and Pensions has given local authorities funding to support residents throughout the year, known as the Housing Support Fund (HSF).

For Dorset, this has come in the form of supermarket vouchers which can be applied for each month for eligible households.

The next opportunity for residents within the Dorset area to apply is Thursday, November 2.

Residents must have an income lower than £30,000, savings of less than £16,000 and have not applied for a previous HSF in the last six months.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council portfolio holder for culture, communities and customer services, said: “Round four of the HSF is here to provide a helping hand to low-income households in the Dorset Council area.

“Starting on November 2 , we're reopening this support that offers supermarket vouchers to those in need. We're committed to ensuring our community's needs are met.

“If you do miss out on this window, another will open on Tuesday 5 December at 10am.”

Citizen’s Advice have been put in charge of allocating the funds on behalf of Dorset Council and vouchers will be issued to those meeting the criteria within six to eight weeks.  

For more details on how to apply and when future application window dates are visit https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/household-support-fund