Household Support Fund
The Government has confirmed an extension of the Household Support Fund (HSF5) from April to September 2024. This is to help the most vulnerable households with the cost of essentials such as food and utilities.
North East Lincolnshire Household Support Fund application by referral will open from Monday 13 May. This scheme is available to North East Lincolnshire residents over 16 years of age who are most in need, to help with the cost of food, energy and other household bills and wider essentials.
The maximum payment available to each household is £250.
To receive a payment a household must be able to evidence that it does not have sufficient income to afford essentials such as housing costs, utility bills, food and other basic items. Funding can also be used to support households who are struggling to afford wider essentials such as broadband or phone bills, clothing, and essential transport related costs. To be eligible the household will need to provide evidence, including bank statements, that it has an income of less than £20,000 and savings of less than £500.
Applications can be made through the following referral partners:
- Centre 4 Community – Connect NEL
- Foresight North East Lincolnshire
- Creating Positive Opportunity
- NAViGO
- Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
- Oasis (for families with children at Oasis schools only)
Referral partners will also be able to signpost applicants to other help and support that may be available to them.
This funding is only a short-term solution put in place by the government, so it’s important that anyone who is struggling gets in touch with local services so they can access longer-term support. This could include help with budgeting, debt management, home energy efficiencies and other support to help maximise income and reduce bills.
The scheme will run to 30 September 2024, or until funding has been fully spent.
About the Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund has been allocated to Councils by the Department for Work and Pensions. It is to help provide financial support to those most in need because of significant cost of living pressures.
The council is committed to ensuring that as much of the funding as possible is spent in our community supporting those who need it the most. Funding has been allocated for 6 months and is planned to be spent over this time in the following areas:
- To children and young people, by issuing vouchers to families who are eligible for Free School Meals, to cover food during the 2024 school summer break and by contributing to other initiatives that offer wider support.
- To households in receipt of Council Tax Support that may include pensioners, disabled persons, or carers.
- To support local foodbank providers who issue emergency food and household essentials.