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Household Support Fund

Household Support Fund

Find out if you qualify for help with essential costs like energy, water, food, and other necessities.

Funded by UK government

This information was last updated on 31 October 2024.

Support available for UK households

The Household Support Fund has been extended to 31 March 2025.

It's there to provide help to those who may not have received financial support from the UK Government's Cost of Living payments and the previous phase of the Household Support Fund. The grant is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The scheme also aims to support:

  • those on a low income
  • who have limited savings
  • are particularly at risk due to factors such as disabilities or caring for young children

The fund can support with

  • food vouchers, cash or food in-kind
  • energy and water to support with domestic heating, cooking or lighting, including oil or portable gas cylinders, it can also be used to support water bills
  • essentials linked to energy and water including:
    • sanitary products
    • warm clothing
    • soap
    • blankets
    • boiler service/repair
    • purchase of new and used equipment including white goods, etc.
  • wider essentials these may include support with, but not limited to:
    • other bills including broadband or phone bills
    • clothing
    • essential transport-related costs such as repairing a car or paying for fuel
  • housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet need, the fund can be used to support some elements of housing costs

Our team may ask for the following:

  • last two months bank statements and
  • a recent energy bill

How we assess applications

Your application will be assessed, and we will explain our final decision. If you were referred by a third-party partner, we will provide them with the outcome of the decision.

A family member or friend can apply for you if you need support.

We can help with your application:

Telephone: 01670 620 015 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm and Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm).

Spending food e-vouchers

If you are awarded an e-voucher, you'll need to convert this into a gift card to use at one of the following stores:

  • Aldi
  • Iceland
  • Asda
  • Tesco
  • Morrisons
  • Waitrose
  • Sainsbury's

Help to apply

You may be referred to the Northumberland Communities Together team by one of the following; Northumberland County Council Services, public sector partners or local organisations, if you are receiving support from them including:

  • children's social care through your social worker
  • adults social care through your social worker
  • your early help worker
  • your Neighbourhood Housing Officer (if you are a Northumberland County Council tenant)
  • Welfare Rights Service
  • Transitions Team
  • DWP Job Coach or caseworker
  • your Northumberland recovery caseworker
  • your Local Social Prescriber working within your Primary Care Network/GP Surgeries
  • your local foodbank

Exceptions to funding

Anyone can apply but there may be exceptions if:

  • someone has community care needs
  • has serious health problems
  • there is a risk to a child's welfare

In these cases, you will need to contact Onecall who will assess and refer you to the scheme.

Contact the Stronger Communities Team

Telephone: 01670 620 015 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm and Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm).

Beware of scams

The Household Support Fund scheme does not require banking details to provide support and we will never request this information over the telephone. If you receive any calls requesting this information, claiming to be from a local council, please be vigilant and follow the advice below:

  • report the call to Action Fraud
  • telephone Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice if you need it
  • alert your bank if you have given out your bank details