The DWP have confirmed the North West will get a £66m boost to help families in need this winter.

The support is part of the Household Support Fund, which is designed to last through the colder months.

The government has £500m available nationally - and the Minister of Welfare Delivery has described the additional support as "vital".

READ MORE: Energy crisis: What you should do if your supplier goes bust

David Rutley said: “This funding is there to support those most in need by providing extra help over winter, and by working through local councils we can make sure the vulnerable people in our communities get this vital support.”

The money will be distributed by councils, who know their local areas best, to households in their community in need of some additional help.

Liverpool has received £6,054,020.20 as part of the support - which will broadly consist of small grants to meet daily needs such as food, clothing and utilities.

There have been fears of a crisis during the colder months due to sky-rocketing energy prices and the cut to the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift.

The new fund has been allocated as part of a wider package the Government is providing this winter to help support people through the colder months.

This includes 2.2 million low-income households being given a £140 rebate on energy bills through the Warm Home Discount, and the Cold Weather Payment providing £25 extra a week for those in need in areas where the temperature is consistently below zero.

Families will also benefit from the £220m Holiday Activities and Food programme over the Christmas break.

This programme offers nutritious meals and enriching activities to disadvantaged children.

The Government’s Healthy Start vouchers – which help disadvantaged pregnant women or those with children under four to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables – also saw their value increased by over a third in April.

Those who think they could benefit from the Household Support Fund should contact their local council for more details on what will be available in their community.

Want to find out the latest news in your area? Enter your postcode on our In Your Area page here