The government announced on 23 March 2022 that additional funding will be provided for a new Household Support Fund (HSF) for financially vulnerable families from 2022 to 2023.
The aim is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.
Applications to the Household Support Fund 2022 to 2023
There are two routes to apply for the new Household Support Fund - invitation and discretionary. A customer may only receive payment through one application route.
Invitation
We already hold household details for some customers we consider to be eligible. These groups will receive an invitation letter with a link to a simple online form to gather up to date payment details.
Discretionary
Any customer who requires assistance who has not received an invite letter will be able to apply through the discretionary application route. Customers should check their eligibility before applying.
The application will be through a means tested assessment which will require you to prepare some financial information. You may also be able to apply for exceptional financial circumstances relating to other essentials which will be assessed on a discretionary basis.
Apply for discretionary Household Support Fund
Any exceptional discretionary awards will be made on an individual basis as appropriate.
2022 to 2023 Household Support Fund scheme
The HSF will be distributed by Local Authorities, and the government has set out how we must use the funding:
- at least a third of the total funding must be used to support households with children
- at least a third of the total funding must be used to support pensioners
- the remaining funding will be awarded to other households genuinely in need of support
- payments must be to help in 1 of the 4 eligible categories:
- food, energy and water
- essentials linked to energy and water
- wider essentials
- exceptional emergency housing costs