Eligibility for the Household Support Fund
There are 2 routes to apply for the new Household Support Fund direct payments and discretionary.
A customer can only receive payment through 1 application route unless there were exceptional circumstances.
Direct payments eligibility
We already hold household details for customers we consider to be eligible:
- working age residents who are receiving
- Council Tax Support
- Council Tax SMI Disregard
- Carers Council Tax discount
- Disability-related Banding Reduction
- eligible households will be identified by CYC Revenues and Benefits based on the customers Council Tax Support or discount claim
- eligible credits will be applied direct to the customers Council Tax account in June
- you don't need to make a claim
- you'll receive a letter notifying you that you're eligible and will be receiving the credit
- £150 will automatically be paid directly to your Council Tax account by the end of June
- when the credit is made to your Council Tax account you'll receive a new bill
- the new bill will show the new balance after the credit to your account and your new reduced payments
- the bill will show any reduced instalments, if these are paid by Direct Debit these will change automatically
- eligible households will be invited to apply for a further payment in Autumn 2025. The second payment will be made as a cash payment via a bank transfer
Discretionary scheme eligibility
The discretionary scheme is open to City of York residents over 16 years of age, who are struggling to meet their living costs or other essential costs, and who is eligible through Route 1, the direct payments route.
Those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) are not eligible to receive support.
To be considered you must require urgent financial assistance and not have enough income or savings to meet the eligible costs the scheme can help with.
We will consider the needs of various households including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers, and Disabled people.
Residents in the following groups have been identified as priority groups where they also need additional support:
- Disabled people, including children
- carers
- people with health conditions that are affected by the cold, such as COPD, severe asthma, cardiovascular disease, sickle cell anaemia
- pensioners, particularly those who are not eligible for Pension Credit and will not be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
- single adult households with high energy, rent or mortgage costs
Eligible costs which we can provide assistance with:
- food
- energy bills – electricity, gas, oil
- water bills (including sewerage)
- other essential costs linked to energy or water
- other wider essentials on a discretionary basis, these may include for example support with other bills including broadband or phone bills, clothing, and essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle, or paying for fuel
- some exceptional housing costs
If you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply for the Household Support Fund.
If you do not meet the criteria you may be eligible for other support.
Support for foster carers
Foster carers who are struggling with the cost of living should contact the Fostering Team who only.
Support for care leavers
If you are a care leaver and are struggling as a result of the increased cost of living you should contact the Pathways Team who may be able to provide additional support.
You can contact the Pathway Team on Telephone: 01904 555389, or email: pathwayteam@york.gov.uk.