£421 million has been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need to help with global inflationary challenges and the significantly rising cost of living.
The objective of the Household Support Fund is to provide support to vulnerable households in most need of support to help with significantly rising living costs, specifically food, energy and water bills. This phase of the grant runs from 01 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 and Warwickshire has again been allocated £3.47million, which is being distributed through the existing Local Welfare Scheme.
The first of two cost of living payments has been distributed to families/carers with children eligible for benefits related free school meals. This has provided 19,454 eligible children with food support (£583,620) and 11,216 eligible households with energy support (£841,200). This same cohort will be receiving another payment in February 2023.
As well as extending its general welfare offer to residents in crisis, the Local Welfare Scheme has also recently awarded grants to local food banks, charities, and community groups to support local food and energy related projects.
Help for Warwickshire residents struggling to pay utility bills
In recognition that an unexpected increase in costs can create real challenges for our residents who are experiencing financial hardship, a county wide utilities voucher campaign is launching next Monday.
Short-term financial assistance in the form of a one-off voucher payment will be available to help those who are struggling to afford energy and water bills. This will supplement ongoing emergency support from the Local Welfare Scheme for residents in financial crisis.
Families and households in Warwickshire can apply whether they use pre-payment meters, pay by direct debit or on receipt of a bill. Residents are invited to contact the Local Welfare Scheme team for a confidential discussion about their situation. All applications for the payment must be made by 16 December 2022.
Anyone entitled to benefits eligible free school meals has already received this support.
Vulnerable residents in Warwickshire who are struggling financially can apply for support by contacting the Local Welfare Scheme directly on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182. For further information please visit:
