Household Support Fund: £400 cash boost for low-income families
Amber Middleton
Content writerThe payment is being made as part of a support scheme for low-income households struggling with the cost of living
Thousands will receive a cash boost of up to £400 from their local council before the end of the year, with the first payment coming this summer.
The money is being made available by the government's Household Support Fund (HSF), a cash pot worth £842 million.
The HSF is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support families who are most in need. The DWP distributes the money to local councils and it is up to the councils to decide how they allot the money within their area.
Some councils have chosen to distribute the money as cash payments, while others have given out supermarket vouchers or goods such as air fryers and slow cookers.
You can see a list of what support is available in your area here.
In West Devon, eligible residents will be given 2 cash payments totalling £400 paid directly into bank accounts.
The money will be made up of a payment of £150 which people will start receiving this month, and another payment of £250 in December 2023 which less people will receive.
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Who is eligible for the £400
Residents of West Devon borough council may apply for the first £150 payment of the HSF if they have not had any previous support from government funding and any of the following apply:
- You're in a single-income household and get Council Tax Reduction
- You have caring responsibilities who receive Council Tax Reduction and Carers Allowance
- You receive War Disablement Pension
The council said the support is aimed to help with essential living costs, such as food, energy, water, and other necessary bills.
You will only get the second payment if you fall into more than 1 of the above categories.
Member for Health & Wellbeing, Councillor Tony Leech, said: 'With this funding round, we want to look towards those who may not have received any help but need our support; those surviving on a lone wage, trying to make ends meet.
'As always, there are so many people we wish we could help if we had the finances, and we do what we can. Hopefully, this money will help our residents make life just that little bit easier.'
The council will begin sending out payments this month.
What other support is available?
West Devon Council said that if you are not eligible for the £150 payment, you may be able to claim support through a Council Tax discount.
And if you are on a low income or on certain benefits, you may also be able to claim help through the Council Tax Reduction scheme.
You can find out more about Council Tax Reduction on the gov.uk website
Can I get help if I don't live in West Devon?
The Household Support Fund is available for people living in many areas across the country with more councils still to announce their plans with their portion of the fund.
For example:
Camden in London provided 3 lots of supermarket vouchers worth £15, £30 and £15 (February 2023) per child to families who are receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.
Herefordshire Council is providing HSF support to those who may be not entitled to other benefits and looks to provide immediate day-to-day help.
Dorset is providing £150 worth of supermarket vouchers, of which the application began on 2 August.
Blackpool Council is offering households £200 or £300 towards their energy bills which is paid directly to the energy supplier.
For a full list of what councils have announced what, take a look at our Household Support Fund guide.
And if your area isn't included, get in touch with your local council to find out if support is available for you.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The HSF is money provided by the Government to local authorities to help families struggling with the rising cost of living.
The government has published the amount each council receives. Councils then distribute the money to residents. Each council sets the amount to go to individual families, establishes who is entitled to it and pays out the fund.
The HSF helps with payments for essentials such as food, utilities and clothing, and was first introduced in September 2021.
The fund was scheduled to end in March 2023, but on 1 April 2023, the Government announced an additional £842 million would be made available to help the most vulnerable households across England.
Do I have to pay back money from the Household Support Fund?
No. The money or services you get from the Fund do not have to be paid back.
Does this fund affect other benefits?
No, you don't need to worry because this is an additional benefit.
Find out everything you need to know about the Household Support Fund, including who gets it.
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