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.
Support was offered based on individual circumstances and criteria.
For the extension, we carried out an evaluation exercise with partners. We explored ways to improve our approach and the wider financial wellbeing.
How we distributed the Household Support Fund in Dudley
To increase accessibility to all residents in need we distributed funds to:
- Dudley support services working to support vulnerable residents.
- Third sector organisations like charities and not-for-profit organisations for wider access to funding.
- Online application scheme.
Reason for distributing HSF this way:
- To reach as many eligible people as possible by having many ways to distribute money.
- To have offline applications for those people who do not use online services.
- To use ours, and our partners’, knowledge in identifying those experiencing financial hardship.
Allocation
We allocated funds depending on the applicant’s route, situation, and level of urgency.
This included:
- Emergency cash payments
- Buying of essential items such as furniture, baby items and white goods
- Direct support such as food and energy vouchers.
In Dudley we prioritise HSF to:
- Low-income households
- Families with school-aged children on free school meals
- Pensioners and disabled individuals.
- Care leavers
This approach allowed us to provide help to those with the most need. It has also aided with the development of our Financial Wellbeing Strategy.
Household Support Fund 6
On 2 September 2024, the Government announced another 6 month extension. From 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 with a further £421m.
