Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund, funded through the Department of Work and Pensions, has been extended and will be available to help households in need until March 2026.
The Finance and Corporate Services Cabinet Member confirmed the decision to accept the Household Support Fund allocation from the Department of Work and Pensions on 7 November 2024.
We are using the funding to support a wide range of low-income households, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, care leavers and disabled people. Support includes with food, help with energy bills and wider essential costs.
Find out more about who is eligible and how to apply for the Household Support Fund.
The funding is part of the government's response to support vulnerable households most affected by increases in the cost of living.
Find out if you are eligible for any extra support provided by the government.
View specific support available for:
- Households with individuals that use 'high energy' use medical equipment
- Unpaid carers on a low income
- Families
- Pensioners on a low income
- Care leavers
Support for households with individuals that use 'high energy' use medical equipment
Funding is available to support households with individuals, whether children or adults, that are reliant on high energy consuming medical equipment to meet their health needs. This includes equipment such as, ventilators, dialysis machines, oxygen concentrators or feeding pumps.
There is financial support for those that are most affected by the cost of living and by the use of such equipment resulting in higher energy bills. This can be particularly impactful during the winter months, posing a heightened risk of fuel poverty for individuals relying on these essential medical devices.
You may be eligible for financial support towards heating or energy bills. You can make a self-referral or be referred by a health professional, support worker, social prescriber or social worker, in order to be considered for the one-off £250 payment.
If your application is successful, the payment will be made within 14 days from the referral being received.
To apply for funding please complete the online application form. You will need to provide evidence of the health condition and medical device used in the home, and a bank statement to verify your details.
Support for unpaid carers on a low income
Unpaid carers can face financial difficulties due to the UK’s cost of living crisis. The additional costs of caring can place a significant strain on carers' finances, and many experience financial hardship as a direct result of the care they provide.
Financial support is available for unpaid carers on a low income who provide more than 35 hours of care per week and meet one of the following criteria:
- Have an average income of less than £151 per week, after tax
- Are reliant on benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Carer’s Allowance
- Have had to reduce their working hours or become unemployed due to their caring role, resulting in significant loss of income
- Require assistance with additional costs associated with providing care, such as transportation, equipment or specialised products
If you meet the criteria then you may be eligible for a one-off payment of £300. To apply for the payment, please contact an organisation that can make a referral on your behalf and verify your details. Organisations that can help include: Carers Links, Age UK Wyvern, Dementia Matters Here(fordshire), Crossroads Together and Citizens Advice Bureau. If you have a social worker or social prescriber supporting you, they can also complete the referral.
Support for families
Food vouchers for children entitled to free school meals
Food vouchers will be provided for free school meal/pupil premium children during the school holidays.
The vouchers are based on a minimum of £15 per week for each week of the holidays and schools are organising this direct with families who are entitled.
If you are on a low income your child may be eligible for free school meals, find out more and how to apply on our free school meals page.
Support for households with children under 5 years
Funding is available to assist families with one or more children under the age of five, facing financial difficulties. The support provided would be a one-off emergency payment voucher of £100 per household, which can be redeemed at a supermarket. If you are in need of essentials and do not have access to any other funds, this will enable you to buy food or wider essential items for your children.
To be referred for the payment voucher, please contact your health visitor, local children's centre, your child's pre-school or nursery setting, your midwife, social prescribers or CAB.
If you have accessed a voucher, you will also have the option to receive a financial 'health check' with an experienced Citizens Advice Bureau CAB advisor. The advisor can make sure that you are maximising your income, and offer support with welfare benefits, housing advice, or debt and related matters.
Support for families with school-aged children
Funding will be allocated to a number of schools to support pupils that are not eligible for free school meals with a one-off supermarket voucher that can be used to buy food and other essential items relating to children and young people.
For more information email householdsupportfund@herefordshire.gov.uk
WOW free events and activities for all the family
Organisations across Herefordshire are hosting WOW sessions, providing a warm, welcoming space for the community to gather and participate in a variety of activities. Funded by the Household Support Fund, these sessions aim to support residents during the cost of living crisis by offering free activities, hot food, and a warm space.
Winter can bring added financial strain due to increased heating costs and rising living expenses. That's why WOW sessions are open to anyone feeling the pressure.
Additional support and signposting will be available at WOW sessions for those who need it.
To find out where events are running, visit Talk Community's WOW for all seasons activities page.
Support for pensioners on a low income
If you are of pensionable age and on a low income, funding is available for supermarket vouchers to support you.
You are eligible if you are a pensioner receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Relief but not Pension Credit, with a gross income of less than £21,000 (single person) or £28,000 (couple) and are not receiving means tested benefits.
You may also be eligible if you receive Pension Credit, provided you have not already received support through the Household Support Fund.
For more information, visit Welcome to Age UK Wyvern website.
You may also be eligible for help with your energy bills. For more details, contact Severn Wye Energy by phone 0800 170 1432 or email communityadvice@severnwye.org.uk You can also visit their advice and support page on the Severn Wye Energy website.
Support for care leavers
Funding is available to help those young people aged between 18 -25, who have left care and are living independently. The support can help pay for energy costs during the winter period and some household items that can help reduce the cost of energy bills. Applications to use the fund will be made by the Personal Advisors for the young people. If you are a care leaver and in need of support, please contact your PA or CareLeavers@herefordshire.gov.uk
In an emergency
In an emergency, contact our Emergency Welfare Support service, which offers the following support for eligible people:
- Quality, second-hand goods, wherever possible via direct referrals to suppliers
- Food or vouchers
- Referrals to support organisations
Where to get extra help
If you're struggling to make ends meet, visit:
Talk Community's Money on Your Mind website
Money on Your Mind provides lots of advice and guidance, including links to organisations that may be able to help you.
If you can't find what you're looking for there, email householdsupportfund@herefordshire.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Herefordshire also offer lots of support and advice. You can call them on 0344 826 9685 between 10am - 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Support from voluntary and community organisations
Local organisations are available to support local people who are struggling to pay essential bills as a result of the cost of living increases.
If you are in financial distress or hardship due to the cost of unaffordable essentials including energy bills, food and white goods, these organisations can help with advice services and benefits checks.
For more information see Talk Community's Money on Your Mind.