Thousands of people in Kent have become eligible for a £100 voucher to help pay their energy bills as a result of a change in a support scheme's criteria.

Kent County Council, which is overseeing the pay-outs, says residents have until the end of the month - or until the available money is spent - to register for the help.

The available cash is coming from the Household Support Fund, which is money provided by the Department for Work and Pensions to local authorities to help people with cost of living pressures.

KCC estimates thousands of people will be eligible for the extra help now that the scheme's criteria has been 'updated'.

Staff, says the local authority are working with district and borough councils to ensure as many people as possible get extra help if they need it and this voucher - to be redeemed against gas and electric bills - is just one of the ways the latest funding is being distributed.

While the DWP issues guidelines for each round of funding, the uptake of schemes is continuously evaluated by Kent County Council who can make changes during the process to maximise its impact.

The eligibility criteria for the latest £100 energy voucher is as follows:

* Claimants must be aged 16 or over

* Be a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bromley and Bexley)

* In receipt of means-tested benefits, or have a household income that is less than £30,000 per year before tax

* Have savings not above £250

* Not be receiving free school meals support for any child within your household

More information about the £100 self-referral voucher scheme, and application forms, are available by clicking here.

While residents who think that they know someone entitled to claim are being asked to make them aware of the help as soon as possible so that they can submit an application form before the end of the month.