- Department for Work and Pensions’ £842 million Household Support Fund extension came into effect on 1st April, including a further £2.4 million of funding for Torbay.
- The extra Government funding is given to councils to provide further help to the most in need with essential food and energy costs until 31 March 2024.
- Extension of fund goes live as confirmation given millions of UK households will receive £301 directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 25 April and 17 May.
Torbay’s MP, Kevin Foster, has welcomed the Household Support Fund (HSF) being extended by the Government for another year, with the £2.4m of funding provided under the fourth round to Torbay Council now available to support Torbay residents. Funding is allocated by central government, there is no need for councils to bid for it. The total funding provided by the Government to Torbay Council under the four rounds of HSF is £6,176,784.05.
The latest HSF money allocated to Torbay Council will be spent in several ways:
- Food vouchers issued through the new Family Hubs (£60,000)
- Households with a low disposable income, who are not receiving welfare benefits (includes pension age, unpaid carers, and disabled people – £1.1m)
- Households who are receiving welfare benefits (includes pension age, unpaid carers and disabled people – £450,000)
- Essentials linked to energy and water such as warm clothing and ovens (for those receiving a disability benefit or children under five – £50,000)
- Care experienced young people (£46,200)
- Provision of additional debt and benefit advice (£127,514)
- Food banks (£150,000)
- Social supermarkets (£250,000)
- Baby banks and Homestore (£40,000)
An additional £400,000 from Torbay Council’s COVID-19 reserves and the Exceptional Hardship Fund will be allocated to the Discretionary Housing Payments budget and Welfare Support fund for next autumn and winter.
The HSF extension going live comes as the Government confirmed the first (£301) of three payments totalling up to £900 for those eligible and on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, will be made between 25 April and 17 May. This follows the £650 Cost of Living Payment made to over eight million people, including thousands of households in Torbay, during 2022.
There will also be further payments worth £150 for eligible disabled people and £300 for pensioners due later this year, meaning the most vulnerable can receive up to £1,350 in direct payments.
The £301 payment will be sent out automatically and directly to recipients, meaning those eligible do not need to apply or do anything to receive it. The payment reference for bank accounts will be DWP COLP, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number.
Kevin is also encouraging low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility, as they can still qualify for the £301 Cost of Living Payment if they make a successful backdated Pension Credit application by 19 May.
Commenting Kevin Foster MP said: “Family budgets are being strained by increases in food and energy prices. This means the extension of the household support fund and the cost-of-living payments due to be paid will make a difference to many feeling the pinch across our bay.”
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For more information please contact Kevin Foster on 01803 214 989
Notes to Editors
Household Support Fund:
The Household Support Fund comes on top of extensive support for those in need in the coming months with many receiving direct payments in 2023/24. Millions of UK households will receive the first £301 payment of up to £900 in Cost of Living Support directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 25 April and 17 May. This is on top of a £150 payment for those on disability benefits, and £300 on top of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioner households.
The Household Support Fund was first launched on 6 October 2021, and has been extended several times. This latest extension lasts until 31 March 2024, representing the fourth edition of the fund.
Local Authorities have discretion on how they design and deliver their scheme depending on local need, within the parameters of the guidance set out by the Department for Work and Pensions. In Torbay examples of how this money has been used are small grants to meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities, support for
The full guidance given to local councils can be found on the Government website by following this link:
1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024: Household Support Fund guidance for county councils and unitary authorities in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Details of how Torbay Council will spend the funding allocated to it under the 4th tranche can be found by following this link:
Council allocates further funds to help residents with cost of living - Torbay Council
Cost of Living Payments:
The full list of benefit recipients that qualify for the upcoming Cost of Living payment are those who receive:
Universal Credit;
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
Income Support;
Working Tax Credit;
Child Tax Credit;
Pension Credit
The qualifying period for this payment is between 26 January and 25 February 2023.
More details available by following this link:
First 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment dates announced - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
