The Household Support Fund (HSF) is designed to support vulnerable households facing financial difficulties with essential expenses, such as food, gas, electricity, water and essential expenses.
The HSF will cover the period from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.
Applications will be assessed through a Common Assessment Form with a view to providing long term support and moving households in financial crisis to a position of resilience.
Application Process:
- Support Beyond Financial Awards: The current round of the HSF emphasises practical assistance through collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Financial awards will only be considered when all other forms of support have been exhausted.
- Case-by-Case Review: Each application will be assessed individually, considering personal, household, and financial details. This ensures that the most appropriate support is identified for each household.
- Proactive Engagement Required: Applicant, including members of their household (where appropriate) must actively engage with the council and its partners, providing up-to-date information and evidence to support their application.
Focus Areas:
The fund is aimed at assisting households that:
- Struggle to meet basic financial commitments, such as expenses for food, gas, water, and electricity.
- Are at risk of falling into arrears with essential bills.
Key Steps in the Process:
- Assessment: Applications will be reviewed using a Common Assessment Form to understand the applicant's circumstances fully.
- Identifying Support: We will explore all existing support offered by council services and external partners before considering financial assistance.
- Empowerment: Our aim is to help households transition from crisis to stability, equipping them with the tools for financial resilience and independence.