DWP urges families to check eligibility for support with £800m handed out

Vulnerable Britons are being encouraged to check if they qualify for extra financial support through the DWP’s Household Support Fund.

According to new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DW), more than 26 million awards have been distributed from the Fund since its launch in October 2021.

A further £2billion has been invested over the last two years, with almost £800million already paid to households with children to ease the cost of living pressures between October 2021 and March 2023.

The money is available for councils in England to help those most in need, by drawing from local knowledge and making direct contact with people in the community.

The Fund is targeted at the most vulnerable households and is typically used to help them with the cost of essentials such as groceries, toiletries, and warm clothes, as well as provide further support with energy bills.

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Mel Stride MP, secretary of state for work and pensions, said: “The best way we can protect family finances is by driving down inflation, but as it reduces, we recognise that cost of living pressures remain for some of the most vulnerable households.

“Our record £842million cash injection to the Household Support Fund in England this year means that people most in need will be able to get extra support locally to cover the essentials.

“And alongside this unprecedented cost of living support, we’re taking the long-term decisions to reform the welfare system to help thousands more people benefit from the income boost provided by employment.”

Councils are using their allocation in many ways to support local people. For example, in Buckinghamshire, a warm box scheme will ensure people can stay warm in the colder weather.

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In Kent, essential white goods and furniture are being financed for those who can’t afford it, and in Devon, the District Council Hardship Fund is providing targeted support for the most in need.

People can find out how much their area was awarded at GOV.UK and are being urged to check their council’s website or call their office to find out what support is available locally to them through the fund.

This support comes on top of wider Government payments to help families with costs – including up to £900 in direct cost of living payments for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners and an extra £150 available for disabled people. 

More than three million households from today will also be told they qualify for the Warm Home Discount. The automatic one-off £150 payment will help eligible, low-income customers in England, Scotland and Wales pay their energy bills over the winter.

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Mims Davies MP, minister for social mobility, youth and progression, said: “Thanks to this Government’s massive extension to the Household Support Fund for every community throughout England, plus money for devolved Governments, we have seen some wonderfully innovative and locally focused uses of the additional money by local councils to ensure support is delivered to those families and those needing extra help in tough times.

“In my own area, West Sussex, over £9million is helping locally to finance door-to-door food box deliveries and supermarket vouchers to the most vulnerable.

Vital support will also be available to help with the cost of vehicle repairs, white goods and public transport fares to ensure people stay connected, and this is on top of previous allocations.

“This Household Support Fund Awareness Week, I do encourage anyone in the country who is struggling to cover costs to speak to their local council about what extra support is available in their area. I know local MPs will be keen to do the same, so their constituents know the additional help available on their doorstep.”

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