Household Support Fund
The fourth round of the Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2024.
Additional support up until the end of September 2024 has been announced and funded by UK Government.
Approval has now been given by West Northamptonshire Councillors for plans to distribute this funding in line with the Government guidance.
The plans approved include:
- ensuring that around 12,700 families with children will receive school meal vouchers over the summer holidays at the cost of £15 per child, per week. In addition, families will also be given a further £30 voucher to help towards school essentials such as uniforms
- continuing to work closely with our trusted partners to provide tailored support to residents from:
- debt and money advice
- energy saving advice
- practical energy saving measures
- practical household support
- providing approx. £690,000 in the form of grants for voluntary and community organisations to apply for to increase the dedicated and tailored support that they offer to residents
To provide a longer-term offer of financial wellbeing, all awards and funding will be complimented by wrap around support schemes with the view to help transition households from crisis support to more sustainable support.
The grant application process for voluntary and community organisations is being finalised and this page will be updated once it is open.
Pupils in receipt of benefits-related free school meals
Voucher links providing support for both of the Spring Term School Holidays were issued in March 2024 to all eligible pupils. These links have now expired and cannot be backdated. No further vouchers will be issued for the May holidays.
During July 2024 we will issue grocery vouchers to parents/carers of all pupils in receipt of benefits related free school meals. These will be valued at £15 per child, per week of the summer holiday.
A further £30 School Essentials voucher will also be issued to support with the purchase of school uniform, shoes, stationery or books.
Households requiring debt and money advice
The Debt and Money Advice Team can offer:
- support with debt options and negotiating payment arrangements
- money management and budgeting advice
- help with maximising income including benefits entitlement checks
- completing welfare benefit claim forms and support with appeals
- referrals to partners for further holistic support that compliments the financial support provided
- support in gaining confidence in managing finances through self help tools
If you are a Housing Association tenant and require debt and money advice support, please refer to your Housing Association provider for further assistance.
You can request debt and money advice online by submitting a referral form:
Households requiring energy saving advice
We will soon be providing an application form for households requiring support with energy saving advice. This service is provided by partners who specialise in this form of support.
You can view energy advice from Community Law.
Voluntary and Community Organisation support
Household Support Fund monies will be distributed to Voluntary and Community Organisations to allow them to use their knowledge and understanding of the needs of residents in order to provide tailored support.
Organisations will be expected to provide a longer-term offer of financial wellbeing, by complimenting all awards and with wrap around support schemes with the view to help transition households from crisis support to more sustainable support.
The grant application process for voluntary and community organisations is being finalised and this page will be updated once it is open.
Once any grants have been awarded, the details will be published on this page. This will show which community organisations have been provided with additional Household Support Funding, ensuring that residents are aware of the support available and how it can be accessed.
Cost of living
Further cost of living support can also be found on the following web pages:
Last updated 17 May 2024