HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND

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HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND

Cheshire East Council with the help of a wide range of local partners, are distributing vouchers worth £2.2 million on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions, to support the most vulnerable households across the county with food, utilities, and other essentials over the summer period.

The money is our share of the government’s £500 million Household Support Fund which will run from 23rd May 2022 to 30th September 2022 (additional to the £500 million from October 2021 to April 2022). A further £500 million has been allocated for the autumn period, but we are awaiting further information from the Department of Work and Pensions regarding delivery.

The fund is available to support both adults (without dependent children) and families with children and will be made available to vulnerable households who need additional financial support. Support for children and their parents via the grant will be delivered in line with the previous Household Support Fund. The children’s bulk offer went live on the 23rd May, with further support available for children/adults/pensioners available for food and utilities and boiler payments via the online inquiry form from the 23rd May.

Children and Young People

Currently, over 10,000 children and young people from the following groups will receive their £20 worth of food vouchers via their school/college/setting for May half term. A further payment will be made during the summer holidays.

  • are in receipt of income related free school meals
  • are in receipt of early years pupil premium and two-year funding
  • are care leavers up to age 25
  • are not in education, employment or training aged 16-18
  • are young carers for their parents/carers

Pensioners

Payments will be made via post office cash vouchers to pensioners currently in receipt of council tax support and will be available for spending on food and utilities or other essentials. Due to the availability of wider support packages council tax energy rebate, the bulk payment to pensioners will be paid in later in the year. We are currently reviewing when would be most appropriate to deliver this portion because of the recent announcement of ‘cost of living’ package. Outside of this period pensioner can apply for the grant, but this application must be referred via our online inquiry form and by a trusted professional/practitioner. Trusted practitioners must identify the individuals as ‘financially vulnerable’ and be able to evidence their needs in the inquiry form.

Adults

Adults applying for the grant must be referred via our online inquiry form by a trusted professional/practitioner. Trusted practitioners must identify the individuals as ‘financially vulnerable’ and be able to evidence their needs in the inquiry form.

Inquiry Form

You can make referrals for food vouchers, energy vouchers or boiler payments to support the most vulnerable children, families, and adults you work with. Food vouchers are worth £20 per child per week, £40 per single adult or £60 per couple, and utilities vouchers are worth £100 per household. Please be clear if you are claiming for only children, only adults or adults and children as this will affect the value of the payment. Please reserve top up requests for the individuals with the greatest financial difficulties. We know it’s been a difficult time for many over the past year, and food and fuel costs have increased. Please apply for funding by completing this short form. If you work with any individuals from one of the above groups, please consider if the support they will receive will support their needs.

Webpage and Inquiry form links: