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Household Support Fund policy (DOCX, 365.45 KB)

 This scheme is intended to alleviate hardship and support those most in need that have been affected by the significant rising in cost of living and are suffering financial hardship.

The HSF is funded entirely by the Government via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Additional, government funded, Cost of Living Support may also be available to you. Please visit the Cost of Living Support page on GOV.UK.

Support may be provided against (but not limited to):

• the cost of living
• energy costs and arrears
• Help towards the provision of essential white goods (emergency need only)
• Help towards moving in packs for new tenancies (emergency need only)

In some circumstances the Council may consider additional financial support for reasons not listed above such as severe or long-term financial issues. 

The support allows residents who face a variety of challenges, time to find alternative solutions to shortfalls in income and help with the cost of living on a short term and temporary basis and it should not be seen as a permanent solution.

Housing costs can only be considered in exceptional circumstances where existing housing support schemes such as Housing Benefit, Universal Credit Housing Element, Discretionary Housing Payment and homeless prevention support do not meet the exceptional need.

Customer commitments and other information

The schemes will work in conjunction with the Homes & Money Hub to support the residents across a broad range of services. This will include referrals of applicants to services such as Job Shop, Budgeting and Debt advice, Adult Learning, voluntary sector organisations and any other relevant service as applicable for further advice and ongoing support.

We usually only make one award every 6 months, and this could be either a one-off payment or an ongoing award for up to 26 weeks as deemed appropriate. The award can be issued by phone text payment (ATM withdrawal link), direct payment to utility providers, council tax/rent accounts or landlords and in exceptional circumstances only a BACS payment into your nominated bank account.

The level of payment will be decided by the Council. The schemes are discretionary, and the claimant does not have a statutory right to payment or appeal however if requested we will review the decision unless your application was submitted without the required evidence or you have had a previous award within six months and do not declare it or you have no extenuating circumstances. 

If Discretionary funding is awarded, we may provide budgeting advice and work with you the customer and develop an action plan to move towards your affordable long-term solution.