Guidance
Information for local councils on the Household Support Fund to support vulnerable households in England.
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If you’re in need of support, you can find out how to get help with the cost of living through the Household Support Fund from your local council.
On 30 September 2021, the government announced that vulnerable households across the country would be able to access a new £500 million support fund to help them with essentials over the winter. This funding covered the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 inclusive.
The Household Support Fund was distributed by councils in England to directly help those who needed it most. The grant was distributed through small payments to support vulnerable households meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities.
On 23 March 2022 the Chancellor announced an extension to the Household Support Fund. The fund was extended to 30 September 2022 with an additional £500 million of funding to be used by local authorities to support vulnerable households.
On 26 May 2022 the government announced a further extension to the Household Support Fund. The fund has been extended to 31 March 2023 with an additional £500 million of funding which will be used by local authorities to support vulnerable households.
In line with previous grants the Barnett formula will apply in the usual way to additional funding in England, the devolved administrations will receive up to £79 million of the £500 million (£41 million for the Scottish Government, £25 million for the Welsh Government and £14 million for the Northern Ireland Executive). It will be for the devolved administrations to decide how to allocate this additional funding.
On 17 November 2022, as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the government announced an additional £1 billion of funding to help households with the cost of essentials. This brings the total funding for this support to £2.5 billion since October 2021. In England a further £842 million is being provided to extend the Household Support Fund by a further 12 months from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The additional funding will be used by local authorities to support vulnerable households.
In line with previous grants the Barnett formula will apply in the usual way for funding for the devolved administrations. It will be for the devolved administrations to decide how to allocate this additional funding.
Published 11 November 2021
Last updated 13 September 2023 + show all updates
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