Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to exclude Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
The holiday season can be expensive time of year. In addition to seasonal preparations, cold weather can bring bigger bills, while store prices only seem to be going up.
For those struggling with their finances this winter, it can be very helpful to know what support is available. Besides regular benefits and some grantslocal councils across the country offer help through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
This national scheme was first introduced by the Conservative government in 2021 to support vulnerable households through the cost of living crisis and the Covid pandemic. But with costs and bills remaining high long after the peak of the pandemic, the ‘temporary’ measure has now been extended five times, most recently by Labor in August.
The latest round of funding has given local authorities a share of £421m to spend on how best to support households in their areas. Some may provide cash grants, for example, while others offer supermarket vouchers, heating support and more.
In most cases, there will be strict criteria for a household to be eligible for support through the local HSF. This will include factors such as income, resident vulnerability, number of dependents and bill costs. Most schemes will also require households to apply rather than being allocated automatically.
Here’s your guide to what support is available in local areas across the country this winter:
London
Tower Hamlets
Access to HSF in Tower Hamlets is available through the Government’s Resident Support Scheme. This is designed to help with “short-term living expenses” including food, gas/electricity meters and in some cases white goods and furniture.
The authority has also used part of its HSF allocations to provide financial support to low-income pensioners who do not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “Making the means-tested winter fuel charge will have a detrimental effect on pensioners who are already facing rising energy bill costs.
“This creates the risk that pensioners will not turn on the heating for fear of not being able to pay the bills, which is wrong.
“That’s why we’re stepping in and providing a £175 safety net for those who will miss out.”
For eligibility and how to apply, visit Tower Hamlets Council website.
Lambeth
Lambeth Council says its HSF will be used to:
- Supporting families in getting free school meals during the holidays. Families will receive this support directly from their child’s school
- Additional funding to improve cash payments from councils to low income residents most in need. Eligible customers will receive a letter detailing how to collect their payment
- Funding of food banks and points for the distribution of surplus food
- Professional support and tips for saving energy
- Additional funding for the Emergency Support Scheme for residents in an emergency or crisis, such as residents struggling to pay bills or afford food
For eligibility and how to apply, visit Lambeth Council website.
Enfield
Through Enfield’s HSF, help may be available for:
- Food (this can be through food banks and pantry referrals)
- Electricity and water bills/recharges
- Support with housing costs, but not mortgage payments
- Broader essentials, such as broadband internet, phone bills, clothing or essential transport costs
- White goods, such as a fridge/freezer, washing machine or cooker. White goods will be procured from the appropriate supplier. The Council will not be able to provide a cash payment
- Prize money (capped at £250)
For eligibility and how to apply, visit Enfield Council website
Croydon
Croydon’s HSF Fund will help residents with household costs. This could include:
- Refills of prepaid energy and water meters
- Help with paying bills for energy and water
- Food vouchers
- Housing support (in exceptional circumstances, excluding mortgage payments)
The fund can go towards basic household appliances and essential transport costs.
For eligibility and how to apply, visit Croydon Council website.
Kingston
Kingston Council says it will use its HSF allocation to support households in need. Vouchers will be available to support costs such as “food, utility bills and other pressures”.
For eligibility and how to apply, visit Kingston Council website.
Rest of England:
Newcastle
In Newcastle, HSF will be used to:
- Free school meal vouchers for children during school holidays
- Hardship Payments for residents in financial difficulty (applications not yet open)
The council will also contact local pensioners who are in receipt of council tax support and/or housing benefit, who are no longer eligible for winter fuel payment following a change of benefit employment.
The authority’s advice said: “We will support 3,700 households in receipt of Council Tax Support and/or Housing Benefit who will not qualify for the Government’s Winter Fuel Benefit.”
Worcestershire
In Worcestershire, HSF will provide eligible households with:
- Financial support for current energy and water costs
- Financial support only for energy and water debts
- Assistance in repairing, servicing and replacing broken boilers and heating systems
- Food support or direct food provision
- Support with broader essentials
For eligibility and how to apply, visit Worcestershire Council website.
Surrey
Surrey Council will use the HSF to fund several areas of support for struggling households, including:
- Providing free school meal vouchers to eligible children during the school holidays.
- Continued support for food banks, community fridges and food clubs
- Surrey Crisis Fund Funding
The council has also set aside £750,000 for residents through county and borough councils.
To meet the requirements and how to apply, visit Surrey Council’s website.
Hertfordshire
In Hertfordshire, residents eligible for HSF can benefit from:
- Holiday supermarket vouchers for families receiving free school meals
- Money for food and energy
- Help with housing costs
- Additional support for people on pension credit
To meet the requirements and how to apply, visit the Hertfordshire Council website.
Staffordshire
Staffordshire County Council has outlined how it intends to use the HSF, with schemes including:
- Emergency payments for vulnerable households to help with essentials
- Supermarket eVoucher scheme with eligible households receiving £65 per household and £20 per additional dependent.
- Utility support worth £300
- Education Support Fund – households with children receive free school meals and supermarket vouchers during the holidays.
To meet the requirements and how to apply, visit the Staffordshire council website.
Coventry
In Coventry, vulnerable households can benefit from:
- Basic community support worth £120 or £160 for households with children. It can be applied a maximum of three times.
- Food support with three emergency food packages per household
- Appliances, furniture, clothing, bedding and toiletries are all considered in exceptional cases
To meet the requirements and how to apply, visit Coventry Council’s website.
York
In York there is currently one scheme going through the HSF:
- Bank account deposit of £115 to help pay bills for households receiving tax support
- Discretionary payments for needy households who do not receive council tax assistance
To meet the requirements and how to apply, visit the York Council website.
There are over 300 local authorities in Great Britain. For more information on what’s available in each area, the charity End Furniture Poverty offers a useful tool for finding help.