Further funding is available during May for low income households in the Dorset Council area – but residents shouldn’t delay in applying.

Round 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) will reopen for applications at 9am on Wednesday 3 May.

The support will be in the form of supermarket vouchers. Citizens Advice will be allocating this fund on behalf of Dorset Council and vouchers will be issued to residents who meet the eligibility criteria within six – eight weeks.

Dorset Council households will be able to apply if they have: an annual household net income of less than £30,000, savings of less than £16,000 and have not applied for a previous HSF payment within the last six months

Calculations for the annual net income should not include Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance or Child Benefit. Applications are limited to one per household.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services previously said: “Funds are limited for each window and the form will close when they have been allocated. The April window opened and closed on the same day, so please get in touch as soon as possible once the form opens.

If you do miss out on this May window, another will open on 6 June at 9am.”

If applicants need help completing the form, they can telephone Customer Services on 01305 221000 or visit a customer access point.