Household Support Fund – Help with the Cost of Living

The funding is an extension of the Household Support Fund and has been allocated by the Department for Work and Pensions to councils in England, who will then use it to support those in need in their local area.

The Household Support Fund is there to help low income households, including families, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people. It provides immediate help for those who are struggling. This could include help with your energy, water, broadband and phone bills, as well as other essentials such as food, clothing and hygiene products. The fund can also assist with transport-related costs such as car repairs, buying a bicycle or paying for fuel.

The winter phase of the household support fund is now closed until January 2024, the reopen date is yet to be confirmed.

The scheme has two phases/time periods:

• Summer: April to September. (now closed)
• Winter: October to March. (now closed until January 2024)

A one-off payment can be made to eligible households in Dudley Borough. To apply for the Winter scheme, you will need to meet certain criteria and complete an application form.

One-off payments of £250 (or £300 for someone in the household has a disability) will be available to households who did not receive a payment in the Summer scheme (April to September).

Those who received a payment in the Summer scheme  could still be eligible for a payment of £100 (or £125 if someone in the household has a disability.).

To apply people will need to meet certain criteria and complete an application form.

You can make an application if you live in the Dudley Borough and:

• You are a multi person household (this includes your partner, children or anyone else that lives with you).
• Your joint gross income, including wages and any other income (for example pensions and all benefits), are less than £45,000 per year.
• Your savings are less than £2000.

Or

• You are the only adult in the household.
• Your gross income, including wages and any other income (for example, pensions and all benefits), is less than £35,000 per year.
• Your savings are less than £2000.

You will also need to tell us why you are struggling to pay your bills.

You will not be eligible for the scheme if you:

• Live outside the borough.
  
  
• Your income and / or savings identified as too high to qualify, depending on your household makeup.

You can help someone else fill out an application or fill out an application on their behalf. But you cannot receive payments on behalf of someone else. Only the named applicant will receive a payment.

There is a limited amount of money available for this scheme, and we are expecting a high volume of applications. If you are unsuccessful, there is other help available on our Cost of Living webpages.

• Cost of Living