DWP advises Brits to contact their council to check eligibility for free vouchers
The Household Support Fund is a 'little known' scheme across the UK, which is available to many councils and is aimed at the most vulnerable
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is calling on UK residents to see if they qualify for a 'little known' assistance scheme, offered by many councils nationwide, called the Household Support Fund.
This initiative targets the most vulnerable or those struggling to cover basic needs.
It's crucial to note that receiving benefits isn't a prerequisite for this help from your local council.
By verifying your eligibility, you could receive support with fundamental expenses from your council, potentially easing the burden of essential costs.
These could include: utility bills, food, and necessary household items like refrigerators, freezers, and toiletries.
Some councils may also provide food vouchers to families during school breaks.
The implementation of the scheme varies by council, so each might be different regarding eligibility requirements, application processes and recipient selection.
For instance, certain authorities distribute funds via local charities and community groups, while others may restrict applications to once annually. To discover what help is available, it's advised to contact your local council.
Most councils across the UK have their own application procedure, enter your post code on Gov.uk to find yours.
Take Coventry City Council as an example; the council is administering the government's Household Support Fund from 1 April, 2024, until 31 March, 2025.
A statement online reads: "Households who find themselves in financial difficulty can apply for a range of support; this includes households who have previously been ineligible following receipt of a Cost-of-Living Payment."
"There will be a set amount of funds available each month, when that amount is reached, we will have to close the online application form until the next month starts."
The council also says: "Awards for fuel are presently taking 5-10 working days to issue vouchers once an award has been made. Applications for other household essentials for example, kitchen appliances, beds etc are currently taking 4-6 weeks to be awarded."
Another example is Southend on Sea City Council, which is also running the government's Household Support Fund until 31 March, 2025.
For people who fit the council's criteria to claim, the scheme can cover applications for:
- furniture
- household furnishings
- white goods
- clothing
- general living expenses - these are day to day living expenses such as: groceries, toiletries and energy costs
If you are awarded the grant, you will receive your award by:
- AllPay card
- high quality recycled furniture from a reputable charity
- white goods from a reputable local dealer
