Councils have shared how households can claim support payments to help them through the cost of living crisis.

Some councils have pledged to provide a one-off payment to people who claim Council Tax Reduction due to low income, and district and borough councils in the county have said that they will be supporting families in other ways.

As part of the cost of living payments, here are the councils in the North East that are helping households: 

Durham County Council

A £4.6 million funding pot from the Department of Work and Pensions has been provided

  • a one-off food voucher of £110 is being issued by schools and other education establishments to households with children eligible for free school meals (aged 0-19). These should be issued by Friday 16 December 2022. Please note: you have 3 months from receiving your email to go onto the website and choose which supermarket you want your voucher for. Your supermarket voucher is valid for 12 months
  • a grant scheme to target support for vulnerable households without children via professional referrals, for help to purchase essential household items
  • a one-off distribution of food vouchers to care leavers, worth £110 each
  • food/fuel vouchers distributed by partners to target support at vulnerable households without children
  • a discretionary food voucher scheme administered by the council's Housing Solutions team to provide food vouchers to vulnerable households (including temporary accommodation and Gypsy, Roma Traveller households) to help with food costs or to offset their fuel costs
  • a discretionary grant scheme administered by schools to provide clothing/shoes/uniforms etc. for children identified by school staff as those most in need

Redcar and Cleveland Council

Households on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 this year.

This will be made automatically in two instalments, one in summer and another in the autumn, and is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.

South Tyneside Council

£650 Cost of Living Payment

Households on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 in 2022. 

This will be made automatically in two instalments. This is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills. 

North Tyneside Council 

Households on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 from the Government this year. This will be made automatically in two instalments, one in summer and another in the autumn.