There are many ways you can find support to help yourself and your family as household costs rise
Household Support Fund – Help with the Cost of Living
On 2 September 2024 the Government announced that the Household Support Fund (HSF) would be extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, with a further £421m of funding. The fund has been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need.
The Government has confirmed the funding amount will be £2,625,519. It will cover six months from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.
The Household Support Fund gives priority to supporting people with Food and Fuel, however other household essentials are also considered.
This fund is used to provide support to households experiencing financial hardship or crisis, who would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills, or meet other essential living or housing costs. It should be for people in exceptional cases of genuine emergency. The Fund may also be used to prevent poverty locally and build local resilience.
To make it easier for more residents to get help, we are sharing most of the Fund with support teams and community and voluntary groups. They will use the money to provide wider support for local people.
The Department of Work and Pensions allocate a 5% administration cost. In previous funds Dudley and its partners has been within this allocation.
The Government's 2024 Spring budget extended the Household Support Fund (HSF) for another 6 months. Known as Household Support Fund 5 (HSF5), it covered 1 April to 30 September 2024, with Dudley receiving £2,625,519.
We have recently had reports of scam calls to some residents from an unknown number asking them to apply for a "Household Support Fund Loan".
Please note: We will not contact you and ask you to make a claim for the Household Support Fund in Dudley.
Household Support Fund Survey – 1 October 2024 - 31 March 2025
If you have made an application or received Household Support Fund between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, could you please complete the short survey below?
The government assists the most vulnerable households with the high cost of energy through a number of payment schemes.
There is also local help from the council’s Dudley Energy Advice Line (DEAL), which offers information, advice and support. Help in a crisis may include:
Temporary heating
Fuel vouchers
Heated blankets
DEAL helps residents understand bills and with fuel debt, assists with energy efficiency and can support you to apply for grants, plus access funding for insulation measures and replacement heating systems.
Welfare benefits information and support is available to people who have had a social care assessment and those who receive support from other agencies.
Telephone: 01384 815002 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm)
If you are worried you may lose your home because you are struggling to afford your rent or mortgage payments, seek advice early to get help and advice.
Telephone: 0300 555 2345 (Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5pm)
If you have lived in care and would like to find out how the Household Support Fund can help, contact us:
Telephone: 0300 555 2345 (Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5pm)
Dudley schools have received a small amount of Household Support Fund to help with their school hardship fund. You can access this by talking to the school your children attend. Eligibility criteria will apply.
Dudley Family Hubs have received a small amount of Household Support Fund to support families with children who are under 5. If you need further support, please contact your local family hub. Eligibility criteria will apply.
Targeted financial support will be provided to pensioners who do not receive pension credit but do receive support with housing benefit and council tax.
We have identified 2,989 pension age residents who will be eligible.
Those eligible will receive a £125 supermarket card to help offset increases in the cost of living. The cards will be issued automatically to those pensioners that have been identified.
Please note: Pensioners do not have to contact the council to receive this support.
Voluntary sector support
We have worked with Dudley CVS to reach further residents who are vulnerable. So, some charities have received money from the Household Support Fund.
Charities may supply things such as household items, food packages, baby items and education / employment / interview support, but only with a referral from a professional.
If you have a support worker or you are already supported by the service, you can ask for Household Support, dependent on your needs.
We cannot guarantee that you will receive the funding through these charities as eligibility criteria will apply.
Supports with home starter packs, community supermarket, education and employment.
If you are a professional or service that offers support to families and are unsure if you can refer:
Telephone 07930 073077 (Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm)
Black Country Foodbank assists vulnerable residents who are struggling to buy food; however, you need a food bank voucher from a professional to access support.
The warehouse is open Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm
Black Country Foodbank Albion Street Brierley Hill DY5 3EE
Telephone: 01384 671250 (Monday to Friday - 9am to 1pm)
Barnardo’s will be directly supporting Dudley’s vulnerable children and their families within their service. The service provides 1-1 therapeutic support and awareness sessions for young people who are at medium to high risk of CSE within Dudley.
Barnado's Support
Barnardo’s provides a wide range of support to young people this includes:
Dudley Children in Care resilience service- (referrals only through Virtual School)
Dudley Advocacy service for children in care – (referrals from everyone)
Dudley First Steps – counselling for child victims of sexual abuse- (referrals from everyone)
Dudley BASE -support for victims of child sexual exploitation- (referrals only through children’s social care)
Dudley MARAC -1-1 support for child victims of domestic abuse heard at MARAC (referrals through MARAC only)
Dudley Safer Accommodation – 1-1 support for child victims of domestic abuse that are now in safer accommodation (referrals through CHADD and housing)
Please note: Household Support from this service is only available if you are already being supported by Barnardo’s
To make a referral for a young person to access any of the services above use the contact details below.
Families of children from conception to age two can access guidance and support on a range of topics through Start for Life, which is delivered as part of Dudley’s Family Hub Network
Dudley Holiday Activities provides free school holiday activities and food for children aged 5 – 16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals and other vulnerable groups
