The Household Support Fund – which was first introduced by the former Tory Government – is a pot of cash made available to local councils, which they then distribute to local residents who may be struggling with bills or on a low income
The Labour Government has extended a major cost of living scheme with millions of households set to get one off payments and free vouchers this winter.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed today that the Household Support Fund would be extended once again for six more months until April 2025. Introduced by the Tory Government in October 2021, the scheme provides local councils with funding which can be used to offer support to those most struggling with the cost of living.
The former Tory Government extended the scheme until September 2024 in their final Spring Budget and it was unsure whether the new Labour Govenrment would keep the scheme going. However, today it was confirmed it would be extended with an extra £421million being given to local councils.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the £22billion blackhole left by Tories meant it had to make “tough decisions” to fix the foundations of the UK economy. She added: “But extending the Household Support Fund is the right thing to do – provide targeted support for those who need it most as we head into the winter months.”
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall MP, added: “The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago – and this Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society. At the same time, we are taking action to fix the foundations of our country through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay, and Get Britain Working again.”
What help can I get through the Household Support Fund?
The amount of money given to each authority depends on the size and population of the area with larger more densely populated areas receiving more cash to spend. You can only receive support from your local council, and each area decides on how they want to spend their funding.
This means it can be a postcode lottery on the support you can get. Over the last few years, the help provided by councils has ranged from free cash payments, council tax discounts, and supermarket and energy vouchers. The funding has also been given to food banks, heating hubs, and other local organisations. According to the Government release, local councils will begin to share what help it will be offering in the coming months over the next few weeks.
Who qualifies for help through the Household Support Fund?
When the scheme began, councils were advised to allocate the money to “vulnerable households in most need of support to help with significantly rising living costs”. In particular, local authorities were told they should prioritise people who:
- Are eligible for but not claiming qualifying benefits
- Became eligible for benefits after the relevant qualifying dates
- Receiving Housing Benefit only
- Are normally eligible for benefits but who had a nil award in the qualifying period due to
But even if you don’t fall into one of these categories, you should still get in touch with your council if you are struggling as many areas have expanded the groups they are offering help for.
How to get help through the Household Support Fund?
Gov.uk has a search tool that lets you find the contact details for your council. All you need to do is enter your postcode by using this link to see who your local authority is. You can find out who your local council is through the official Gov.uk page here. Alternatively, you should be sent council tax letters yearly that state who your local authority is. Each council details what support they are offering on their website – alongside its eligibility criteria. Usually, they will have a separate cost of living tab which details the help on offer.
Each council will have a different application process for the scheme. Some ask you to apply online, while others over the phone. Some councils are also reaching out to those eligible directly. The majority of councils require applicants to provide proof they are on a low income or are in “financial distress”. This proof can be things such as bank statements and bills.
