Thousands of people are set to receive almost £300 to help with the cost of living from today. 

Low income households in Suffolk will start to receive a £299 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions from today until Thursday, February 22. 

It is the third of up to three payments totalling up to £900 paid to eligible households as part of a support package that has been helping households since 2021. 

Households that only receive tax credits will automatically receive payments from HM Revenue and Customs between Friday, February 16 and Thursday, February 22. 

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Mel Stride, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: "The economy has turned a corner, and with inflation falling we are providing millions of the most vulnerable households with another significant cash boost."

The government said it will continue to support vulnerable people with the cost of living from April by increasing benefits with inflation by 6.7%, maintaining the triple lock and increasing the state pension by 8.5%. 

People can check the Help for Households website to see what cost of living schemes are available.

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Figures released by the Insolvency Service showed the number of people needing breathing space from their debts jumped by 23% in 2023 compared with the previous year. 

A standard breathing space is available to people with problem debt and gives legal protections from creditor action for up to 60 days. 

A mental health crisis breathing space for anyone who is receiving mental health crisis treatment and lasts for the duration of the treatment plus 30 days.