The Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is designed to provide short-term financial support to households experiencing exceptional financial hardship. Please read the following information carefully before applying.
How we process Grant Requests
The enquiry form for grants will ask about your household, housing situation, income and expenditure along with current/prior work and other essential information. This is so we are able to fully assess your enquiry for local and national grants, as well as highlight any other advice we may be able to give to ease your situation.
Please note – we are unable to guarantee you are eligible for a grant, and it may take some time to assess your enquiry and find a suitable funder for your application to be made to.
Application Processing Time
Due to the high volume of applications, processing may take up to 10 weeks. Please refrain from contacting us to check on your application before this period has passed, as we may be unable to respond to your query.
Please also note that if your grant application is approved, payment processing can take an additional 3 weeks due to the large volume of applications.
Please note that those whose immigration status includes No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) are not eligible to apply for Household Support Fund.
Grant Searches
If you are not eligible for the HSF or wish to explore other options, you can search for possible Local or National Grants you may be eligible for through the Turn2us Grant service.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO ASSESS YOUR GRANT ELIGIBILITY
We ask for the following documentary evidence, which is needed by the funders (we review them, but do not pass any copies of the documents without your written consent).
For all grants we will need to see the following:
- 1 month’s most recent bank statements for ALL bank accounts (both for yourself and a partner if you live in the same home).
- A full breakdown of how the Grant will be used: e.g., food £100, Energy £50, Washing machine £200, Children’s clothes (coat, shoes, jumpers) = £100.
- Employed income: Copies of recent payslips if PAYE, or accounts/statements for Self Employed.
- Benefit income: Last award notice, showing the amount and the calculation.
- Other income: Any documents you have to evidence this.
Bills: We need to see:
- For Energy: Your last full bill (which shows your usage breakdown and energy cost breakdown charges). If you are on a pre-payment meter, please let us know.
- For Water: The last bill you received which shows total charge and outstanding balance.
- For any other bill: Please send any document showing the amount due and any calculations/statements that you may have.
Key Eligibility Criteria & Payment Amounts
Please note these important updates for HSF applications:
- Prioritization: We are prioritising first-time HSF applicants.
- Previous HSF Payments: Anyone who has received an HSF payment since April 2023 will not be eligible to receive a grant this year.
HSF Payment Rates: If your application is approved, the payment rates are as follows:
- A single person with no children living with them: £200
- A couple with no children living with them: £250
- A household with one child: £300
- A household with two or more children: £400