Families in one part of the UK will be sent an automatic cost of living payment of £50 this week.

The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash issued by the DWP to local councils across England and Wales for them to distribute how they see fit.

Because it's a devolved scheme, every local authority is free to hand out the money as it sees fit with its own specific rules.

In Wakefield, families in receipt of Council Tax Support will be given an automatic £50 payment this week, from December 15.

It follows payments of £40 and £50 which were paid to the same group in April and July.

Pensioners in receipt of the benefit, or Winter Fuel Allowance, were sent £70 in November, while all other households in receipt of the benefit were given £70 between December 3 and 12.

Wakefield Council said: "Eligible households do not need to apply for these vouchers. They will be issued automatically.

"Please allow up to 14 days for the voucher to arrive.

"Full instructions on how to redeem the voucher will be included in the letter. Once the voucher has been redeemed, it doesn't have to be spent all at once. It can be used several times until the entire amount has been spent.

"Please note that receipt of these vouchers will not affect entitlement to any other benefits you may be receiving."

For those not living in Wakefield, other support payments are available in other areas.

Surrey County Council is offering up to £300 of supermarket vouchers in its Everyday Essentials E-voucher scheme funded by the HSF, while Nottingham City Council makes £100 of vouchers available at the start of each month.

Doncaster Council offers up to £300 of cost of living payments for some households with children.

Every council in England offers the scheme, with its own rules for eligibility and different payment amounts.

The UK government's website says: "Funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council.

"If you get benefits, they will not be affected if you get a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme.

"Councils decide how to run their schemes. There may be differences in eligibility criteria, if or how you need to apply [and] who money is given to.

"For example, some councils share out money through local charities and community groups and some limit household applications to one per year."

Check here to see if you can apply.