As the cost of living continues to rise, families in the United Kingdom are finding it more and more important to utilize all the available aid. The Household Support Fund is one benefit that you may not be aware of but are still qualified for. Through their local municipality, millions of underprivileged households can get free money through the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). Location matters, but depending on where you live, you could be able to get up to £1,000 in cash or gift cards.
Generally, the money is disbursed based on your financial status and the benefits you receive. It is meant to help the lowest-income households that are struggling to pay for basic needs. Discover everything there is to know about the Household Support Fund, including Who Qualifies for the Fund? as well as What Qualifies for the Household Support Fund 2023 and How to Apply for It.
What is Household Support Fund?
Families who are struggling to cover their living expenses can apply for funds from the Household Support Fund (HSF). Rather than the federal government, your local council is the one who receives the fund payments. The Fund is financed by the Department of Work and Pensions. The Household Support Fund was first unveiled in October 2021 with the goal of helping British nationals who were having difficulty keeping up with the growing cost of living.
A portion of the £500 million in funding made available to assist British individuals in need was distributed to councils nationwide. To help those with the lowest incomes keep up with the rising cost of living, it was then extended a second time in the spring budget and a third time in November. The DWP has confirmed a fourth extension for the scheme, which will continue until March 31, 2024.
Household Support Fund 2023 Details
| Article Title | Household Support Fund |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Provided By | Department of Work and Pensions |
| Last date | March 31, 2024 |
| Category | Government Aid |
| HSF Payment Amount | Approx. £200 |
| Official website | gov.uk |
Eligibility for Household Support Fund
The Department of Work and Pensions will consider any hardship, likelihood of poverty, or financial challenges when evaluating aid requests. However, your local council will decide on the eligibility standards and the manner in which the funds can be accessed. To find out the specifics in your area, it is imperative that you first contact your municipality. For you to be eligible for the HSF, you have to fulfill the following requirements:
You are a resident of one of the UK’s eligible provinces.
You have to be at least 16 years old to qualify for HSF.
When an individual is unable to work or has a long-term illness
households where at least one permanent child under the age of 18 resides
Regardless of immigration status, applicants without access to public finance may apply if they have a true need for treatment.
Household Support Fund assistance
The Household Support Fund is a grant made available by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help low-income households cover the rising cost of living. This includes help with more general essential bills as well as food, water, and energy. Additional financing has been agreed upon for the period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
The majority of low-income households are anticipated to gain the most from the fund, particularly those who may not be eligible for other newly made available government aid, including the Cost of Living Payments.
Support for families whose children are eligible for free school meals: £15.50 per week for each eligible child over the summer break
Help is provided to families who meet the requirements for 15 hours of free daycare for children under two, with each eligible child receiving £15.50 per week during the school break.
£201.50 in assistance for care leavers
Support for students who are eligible for further financial aid through the college: £15.50 per week for each eligible student during the summer vacation
How to Apply for Household Support Fund?
Any UK citizen who satisfies the prerequisites can apply for the 2023–24 Household Support Fund Make an application for the £200 in aid. You can apply to the fund once every three months to receive assistance with paying for groceries, gas, electricity, clothes, cleaning supplies, and broadband phone bills. Applications for the Household Support Fund can be found on the official website, gov.uk, which provides money.
The Department of Work and Pensions will make an effort to handle your request within a few weeks of receiving your application. This could take less time if all the paper proof is provided; however, it might take longer if there is a lot of demand or if you don’t provide all the documentation.