Money Matters: What the Household Support Fund extension means and who it could help

The Household Support Fund has been extended again, but what is it? In this week’s Money Matters column, Wrekin’s debt and energy manager Dan Bebbington sets out what the grant is for and who could be eligible.

This month was meant to mark the end of the Household Support Fund, a government-backed grant scheme designed to help vulnerable households facing financial difficulties.

It was first introduced during the Covid pandemic, offering crucial support to those struggling with rising living costs, such as utility bills, food expenses, and other essentials.

The scheme was expected to end earlier this year, but was extended until September by the previous government.

Now, the new Labour government has said the fund will continue for another six months – after facing heavy criticism for introducing new criteria to the Winter Fuel Payment for people over state pension age.

The news that the fund is carrying on a little longer is very welcome, and the support it offers will be a real lifeline to thousands of people across our region. We hope to see it extended again next year, or more long-term alternative be put in place, but we don’t know whether that will happen.

The Household Support Fund is distributed by local councils, and is intended to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals and families in each community can access the assistance they need.

While the exact criteria and application processes can vary from one council to another, the fund is generally available to low-income households, and those experiencing financial hardship due to unemployment, illness, or rising costs.

Telford & Wrekin Council has previously set aside some of its HSF allocation to providing food vouchers to families who receive free school meals, to cover periods of school holidays. It has also had an open application process for those in “exceptional financial difficulty”, who can receive supermarket or energy vouchers.

Meanwhile the previous round of funding saw Shropshire Council make one-off payments of £400 to all households that were both in receipt of council tax support and had a dependant child or children in the home. Some other households were given an automatic council tax reduction.

Over in Staffordshire, households in receipt of free school meals received supermarket vouchers, as did care leavers. Households could also be referred for support by professionals such as registered social landlords like Wrekin, healthcare workers, education settings and Citizens Advice. As well as vouchers, the council helped some applicants with their energy bills by making one-off payments of £450 to their suppliers.

However we don’t yet know the details of how our local councils will distribute their latest allocation. When details are released, if you don’t automatically qualify for the Household Support Fund from your local authority, but are struggling financially, you can contact the council directly to apply or find out what other support they might be able to offer.

Wrekin Housing Group customers can also contact our Money Matters team for support.

18th September 2024