Household Support Fund
The government through the Department for Works and Pensions has allocated a House Support Fund to the Council to cover the period 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024, and it is intended to support vulnerable households particularly those including children and pensioners.
Free school meal vouchers during school holidays
Free school meal vouchers of £12 per week will be provided to approximately 7,500 eligible pupils. These will be provided for the Summer half term (1 week), Summer holidays (6 weeks), Autumn half term (1 week), Christmas holidays (2 weeks), Spring half term (1 week), and Easter holidays (2 weeks). This process is already underway through the schools.
Help for Pensioners
Pensioners who are in receipt of council tax reduction or housing benefit will be provided with an award of £120. This payment will be made automatically direct into the pensioner’s bank account, or if we do not hold bank account details a voucher will be issued.
You do not have to apply for this award it will be issued automatically, and the council will pay it in Autumn 2023.
Discretionary Support Scheme
The council’s Discretionary Support Scheme has been allocated additional funding from the Household Support Fund to help individuals or families who need urgent help to pay for things such as essential food, toiletries or household items or essential fuel bills.
If you are in need of immediate support you can contact the council’s local welfare provision team called the Discretionary Support team. They can assist with immediate short-term needs due to a circumstance that presents a serious risk to the health or safety of the claimant or their family.
Awards will normally be made for immediate essential day to day living expenses only, and will usually be made by way of a parcel delivered direct to the customer from the supplier, for items such as:
- Essential food items
- Essential toiletries
- Essential household items
- Essential Fuel Awards
- There will be no cash payments
Check to see if you could be eligible for the Discretionary Support.
Government information
For further information concerning the help the government is providing during the cost of living crisis please click on this link Cost of Living Hub