The Household Support Fund (HSF) has been extended until April 2025, the Government has announced, to support vulnerable households with the cost of essentials this winter.
The HSF scheme had been due to come to finish at the end of September 2024, with Nottingham City Council currently in the process of distributing the final tranche of the £3.5m funding received in April this year, in the form of energy and supermarket vouchers.
The extension marks the sixth round of funding and will enable the Council to continue to support struggling pensioners, families and the city’s most vulnerable households with the increased costs of living as we move into autumn and winter.
Previously the grant has been used towards a package of help and advice for Nottingham residents who receive Council Tax Support or are on a low income. This has included e-vouchers for energy bills and supermarkets, including throughout the school holidays for pupils who have free school meals (FSM).
Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education at Nottingham City Council, said: “It is welcome news that the Household Support Fund has been extended through to April next year, which will allow us to carry on supporting vulnerable households in Nottingham as they continue to grapple with the high cost of living.
“The support provided through schemes such as HSF and by the Government, the Council and charities has sadly become a lifeline for many and I’m proud of the help the Council has been able to deliver over these past few years to those most in need with their food and energy bills through vouchers, foodbanks, holiday activity clubs for children and so much more.
• Nottingham City Council to upgrade libraries with £300,000 Call Off Framework
“Households struggling financially should look on the Council’s HSF webpage to find out what support they may be eligible for and apply for it as soon as possible, as these are limited on a first come, first served basis. Our website also provides plenty of further advice and avenues for support for those who may need it.”
The latest award expected to be approximately £3.5m will take the amount of support distributed to vulnerable people in Nottingham through HSF to more than £22.5m since October 2021. The full programme of support and go live dates, along with details of how residents can apply, can be found on the website here: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/householdsupportvouchers
