Cornwall Council has started distributing more than £4.5m to help support households hit hardest by the national cost of living crisis. The Household Support Fund – made available by the Government – is aimed primarily at helping families and pensioners who would otherwise struggle with food and energy bills. In Cornwall, it provides a one-off payment of £100 to around 16,500 pensioners identified as having low incomes and around 15,500 families with children who are eligible for free school meals, who will also receive a one-off payment of £80.  Eligible pensioners will be contacted about how to claim the money. Parents or carers can check if they are eligible and make a claim via Cornwall Council’s website. Find out if you can apply: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/schools-and-education/schools-and-colleges/school-meals/cost-of-living-support-payments/?fbclid=IwAR0wPtr2YDnc83Liu0QGlIG7vr-wF96mVwWF8cLhYhI6hHJiwQpTwfed85Y