Universal Credit claimants are set to receive financial assistance after a new round of summer cost of living payments was extended.
The Household Support Fund is set to benefit thousands between now and the end of September.
The amount available to each claimant depends on how each local authority chooses to utilise its allocation.
As well as UC, the scheme also includes recipients of the Guarantee Credit and/or Savings Credit elements of Pension Credit, those on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and individuals who only receive Housing Benefit.
Thousands could ne missing out on the benefit
PA
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has emphasised that help is not solely restricted to vulnerable households receiving benefits.
Authorities are being "strongly encouraged" by the DWP to probe ways this group may be supported. They also must record the total amount of financial rewards allocated to disabled individuals so the DWP can monitor how the funds have been utilised.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has highlighted the importance of including care leavers and carers in the new support measures. A spokesperson said: "Care leavers can face particular barriers as they leave the care system and begin to live independently.
"For example, care leavers may not have access to the same familial networks as others and will not have the same financial, emotional or social support systems that enable them to live independently, respond to crisis or avoid becoming socially isolated."
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The DWP also noted the significance of assisting those with caring responsibilities.
A spokesperson said: "Authorities should also consider supporting people with caring responsibilities in their area. They may have additional heating, water or transport costs."
It comes as state pensioners could be eligible for up to £3,200 worth of extra support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) but millions could be missing out.
As well as being the primary retirement payment provided by the DWP, the state pension is also a gateway benefit to additional cost of living support.
Low-income families are losing nearly £2,000 a year from the "two-child" benefit cap put in place by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), according to new research.
Experts have claimed scrapped the policy could pull 250,000 children out of poverty but both Labour and the Conservative Party have said it remains in place for the foreseeable future.
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