Household Support Fund

The Government has provided further Household Support Funding to Local Authorities for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 to support those households most in need with the significant increase in the cost of living.

The City of Doncaster Council has decided to use the funding to provide help towards food for children by paying a total of

  • £30.00 per eligible child for the Easter school holiday period
  • £15.00 per eligible child for the May school holiday period
  • £90.00 per eligible child for the Summer school holiday period

To be eligible for a payment towards food you must be receiving one of the following during the above periods

  • Housing Benefit,
  • Local Council Tax Reduction,
  • Universal Credit which includes the housing element
  • Means-tested free school meals. 

Payment will be made for each eligible child in the household regardless of their age.  They must be a dependant child who lives with you as their main carer and you must be receiving Child Benefit or the child element of Universal Credit for them.  If someone else receives Child Benefit or the child element of Universal Credit for them, you are not eligible for a food payment for the child.  The funding for food does not extend beyond the summer period.  We cannot make any payments for the October 2023, December 2023 and February 2024 school holiday periods.

The City of Doncaster Council has also decided to provide help towards energy bills for people of working age of 

  • £75.00 payable in November 2023
  • A further payment of at least £75.00 will be made in January 2024, if funding allows this.   

Payment for energy from the Household Support fund is available to households who receive any of the following from 01/10/23 to 16/02/24 when applications close.  Applications may close earlier if the funding is spent.

  • Housing Benefit,
  • Local Council Tax Reduction,
  • Universal Credit which includes the housing element
  • Means-tested free school meals. 

Funding has also been made available to Doncaster Foodbanks and the Hygiene bank.

How payment for food will be made

Households who received a payment for food under the previous Household Support Fund (October 2022 to March 2023) and who still meet the above criteria,  were automatically paid do not need to apply.  Payments have been made directly into your bank account using the information you previously provided.

Households that did not receive a payment under the previous Household Support Fund and now meet the qualifying criteria must submit an application.  You can make an application up to 16 February 2024 at 5pm.  Applications may close earlier if the funding is spent.

How payment towards energy bills will be made

Working age households who received a payment towards energy bills under the previous Household Support Fund (October 2022 to March 2023) and who still meet the qualifying conditions as at 1 October 2023 will automatically get a payment towards energy bills and do not need to apply. We will check our records and if you are still eligible, payment will be made directly into your bank account using the information you previously provided.  You only need to contact us if your bank details have changed.

Households who receive a payment for food under the current Household Support Fund for Easter, May, Summer 2023 and who still meet the qualifying conditions as at 1 October 2023 will automatically get a payment towards energy bills and do not need to apply. We will check our records and if you are still eligible, payment will be made directly into your bank account using the information you previously provided.  You only need to contact us if your bank details have changed.

A payment towards energy bills will be made during November 2023 with a further payment at the end of January 2024 if funding allows this.  

Make an application

Please also read the Privacy Notice which tells you how we will use the information you provide in your application.

If you did not receive a payment under the previous Household Support Fund and you meet the above criteria you will have to submit an application.  

You can currently only apply for food online using the following link:

Apply for the Household Support Fund

Applications for help towards energy bills will open in November 2023 and will close on 16 February 2024 at 5pm.  Applications may close earlier if the funding is spent.

Applications can be made by you, your appointee, carer or advocate acting on your behalf. If someone makes the application for you, we will ask for proof that they are acting on your behalf.

It is very important that you give full details about your situation when you apply so that we can make sure we take everything into account when we make a decision.

Other Sources of help and support

The Government is making extra payments in some benefits to help with the cost of living, details of who qualifies and when payments will be made are on the gov.uk Cost of Living webpage.

The Government has also put information about the financial help available to cope with the current rising costs on the gov.uk Help for Households webpage.

If you need help or advice: MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise. Visit www.moneyhelper.org.uk for further information.

The Your Life Doncaster website has useful information and tips for saving money, staying healthy and keeping your home warm. Plus support available locally with the cost of living.

If you need any assistance, please contact us by email at HouseholdSupportFund@doncaster.gov.uk, or by telephone on 01302 735336 (option 1). 

 

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Last updated: 27 September 2023 14:10:04

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