Low-income families urged to apply for cash boost before it's too late
Amber Middleton
Content writerThe Household Support Fund (HSF) has helped millions of households over the past couple of years – but it will soon be coming to an end
Families are being urged to apply for financial support before it's too late.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) which pays out cash grants and food vouchers to struggling families closes for good on 31 March, but many schemes are closing early due to the funds being claimed.
The warning comes after South Ribble Borough Council closed its fund just days after it opened. The council was issuing £500 payments on a first-come, first-served basis and the fund was due to close on 15 March.
However, the council has now told residents: 'Due to the number of applications received this fund has now closed.'
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Many councils are closing the fund early
South Ribble Borough council did give a warning in advance: 'The scheme may closed early if the budget is spent before March 2024.'
And this message is common among councils, with other councils also warning they may have to close earlier than intended.
For example, Dudley Council states on its website: 'The scheme will close as soon as the funding has been exhausted.'
And Waverly Council said: 'We have limited funds remaining for this tranche of the Household Support Fund, meaning the scheme may need to close at short notice.'
Other councils have already ended their support schemes early, such as Torbay's £500 payments. The council ended the fund on 20 January, over two months earlier than its proposed end – 31 March – due to the funds running out.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund is a scheme funded by the DWP. You can find out more about what's available in your area here.
Initially introduced in 2021, the government has allocated £842 million worth of help to local councils, to spend on their residents.
Councils can apply for a portion of the money which can be spent on helping struggling families in their area. If they don't spend all of their allocated money by the time the scheme closes on 31 March this year, they face having to pay back their share of the fund.
Eligible applicants have to apply for the Fund through their local council, each of which sets out its own eligibility criteria and how it intends to spend the money.
What councils are still offering support?
Some councils do still have funding left, such as the following:
In North Yorkshire Council you could get vouchers worth £450 to be used at Sainsbury's, Aldi, Morrisons and more.
In Cambridgeshire, you could get up to £110 worth of help.
West Sussex County Council is providing supermarket vouchers in varying amounts.
If your local council is not here, check with your local authority to see what help might be available to you.
Don't miss out
To make sure you don't miss out on the funding, find out if your council's HSF is open or if it will be reopening before 31 March when they all close for good.
If it is open, see if you're eligible and apply straight away.
If it is soon to open, put the reopening date in your diary and apply that day to avoid disappointment. Funds have been known to close on the same day.
Will the HSF continue after March?
When asked about the HSF being extended, a spokesperson for the government department told Netmums: 'We continue to keep all existing programmes and cost-of-living measures under review.
'People in England are encouraged to speak to their local council about the help available in their area.'
This comes after calls to extend the Fund.
Councillor Pete Marland, chair of the Local Government Association's economy and resources board, said: 'Councils are united in the view the Household Support Fund must be continued beyond the end of March for at least a year.
'Demand for local welfare support remains at record levels with the cost of energy, housing and other essentials remaining exceptionally high relative to income and continuing to rise.
'Without an extension, there is a risk of more households falling into financial crisis and homelessness.'
More financial help
Need further help and advice? You'll find details on all the benefits and entitlements you may be able to claim via the Netmums' Cost of Living hub.
There you'll find lots of Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.
There are also top tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.
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