MORE than 300 Wiltshire residents have already received emergency help through a multi-million pound fund aimed at easing the cost-of-living squeeze.

Wiltshire Council has been allocated £13.4 million over the next three years through the government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund with the money being used to support households facing financial hardship and help prevent people slipping deeper into crisis.

The fund is already being used for crisis payments for essentials such as food, energy bills, transport and household goods, while also offering longer-term support through advice on debt, budgeting and benefits.

A further £783,725 has been set aside for households that rely on oil heating — a key issue in rural Wiltshire, where many homes are not connected to the gas grid.

The council said more than 70 residents had already been helped with oil support by mid-May.

Wiltshire Citizens Advice has also supported more than 190 residents, including families receiving free school meals, while the council’s Wellbeing Hub continues to act as the main route into support.

Council deputy leader and cabinet member for organisational strategy, digital and leisure, libraries & culture Cllr Mel Jacob said the fund was providing “that vital safety net when people are facing incredibly difficult circumstances”.

The council said the scheme is designed not just to provide emergency help, but to stop households reaching crisis point in the first place.