Household Support Fund extension welcomed

Support for vulnerable households in Worcestershire will continue thanks to the latest extension of the Government's Household Support Fund.

The current round of funding is available until the end of March through a range of different schemes. A total of £1.5 million of the £3.9m will be used to support those eligible for free school meals. Vouchers will be distributed by schools to children receiving free school meals in advance of school holidays up to and including Easter 2023.

One off funding will also be available as cashable vouchers for new pension credit recipients that haven’t yet received a payment and other pensioners.

Carers or people with a disability on low incomes will be able to access support through the Worcestershire Advice Network, led by Age UK Worcester and Malvern.

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for communities at Worcestershire County Council said, “This funding will make a real difference to those in our community who are in need of extra support this winter.

“As household bills are rising, it can be a worrying time for families that may already be struggling. The Household Support Fund will help alleviate some of those worries and support vulnerable people this winter.”

Other eligible people will be able to access assistance with food and wider essentials through a variety of organisations working at a local level funded through District Council allocations of the countywide Household Support Fund.

Help with energy bills will continue through Act On Energy who are delivering a programme of support measures on behalf of Worcestershire County Council.

Worcestershire County Council’s Here2Help service will be on hand to help with directing people to the support they are eligible for, including for the cost of living, and they can be found on the Here2Help webpages: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/Here2help

The government announced the Household Support Fund scheme would continue after March for 12 months, but no confirmation of criteria and allocations have been made as yet.