The winter months can often exacerbate financial pressures for households, particularly as energy bills have recently risen by 10 per cent and temperatures continue to plummet. However, Brits could get extra financial support to support themselves through the colder weeks with the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The government fund was initially launched in October 2021 and has been extended several times since then, with the most recent extension now making the fund available until March 2025. The DWP has put an additional £421 million into the pot to be distributed among local authorities in England.
More money has been allocated to devolved social security administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Local councils can then use it to support residents in the way it thinks is most appropriate.
Some councils may also be able to help with the purchase of essential household items like fridges, freezers, and ovens, provide an engineer for heating/lighting repairs, and assist with housing costs (excluding mortgages) in emergency situations where existing schemes cannot provide assistance. Others are operating voucher schemes to help individuals and families.
For example, Birmingham previously prepared to distribute hardship payments of £200 with applications being made available in November. Coventry City Council also stated that energy and water support would be made available over a two-month period, meaning individuals can apply up to a maximum of three times during the six-month duration of the current scheme.
How to apply for winter help from your local council
The government has highlighted that the Household Support Fund is for “anyone who’s vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council”.
Furthermore, even if you claim benefits, your regular payments will not be affected by any additional support provided by the HSF. However, because the fund provided by the HSF is controlled by individual councils, it is up to them to decide who can receive aid.
As a result, each council’s eligiblity criteria will vary and you will have to contact them directly to find out if you could be eligible. A quick and easy way of founding out about your local council’s HSF is to use the government’s online directory which will take you to your local council’s website where more information will be available.