April 2022 – Household Support Fund

In the Spring Statement, the government confirms that local authorities in England will receive an additional £421 million, with the remaining £79 million being received by the devolved administrations.

Local authorities may use their discretion as to how the funding is used, accompanying guidance confirms that the expectation is that it should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills. It can also be used to support households with wider essential costs. In exceptional cases of genuine emergency it can additionally be used to support housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need.

Guidance issued when the scheme first came into operation in October 2021 states that authorities have the ability to deliver the scheme through a variety of routes including providing vouchers to households, making direct provision of food, or issuing grants to third parties (with the exception of debt advice provision). Authorities should use the wide range of data and information at their disposal to identify and provide support to a broad cross section of vulnerable households in their area. Authorities have access to DWPs Searchlight portal which provides information on individual receipt of DWP welfare benefits. Other sources of information includes advice from professionals who come into contact with vulnerable households such as social workers and Supporting Families advisors.

Funds not spent or committed before 31 March 2022 cannot be held over for future usage and it is assumed that the same will apply to the funds announced last week.

Eligible spend includes:

Food whether in kind or through vouchers or cash

Energy and water for any form of fuel that is used for the purpose of domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders. It can also be used to support with water bills including for drinking, washing, cooking, and sanitary purposes and sewerage

Essentials linked to energy and water including sanitary products, warm clothing, soap, blankets, and boiler service/repair

Wider essentials should authorities consider this appropriate in their area. These may include, but are not limited to, support with other bills including broadband or phone bills, clothing, and essential transport-related costs

Housing costs. In exceptional cases of genuine emergency where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need, the Fund can be used to support housing costs. However, the Fund should not be used to provide housing support on an ongoing basis or to support unsustainable tenancies

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