Household Support Fund

Please also see below information about the Household Support Fund which is being distributed by Leicestershire County Council and how residents in Charnwood may be able to access the fund.

The Council can make referrals to LCC if the resident is a Council tenant. Arrangements are in place for the Citizens Advice Bureau to make referrals on behalf of residents who are non-Council tenants. To undertake a referral, the resident needs to provide evidence to confirm their eligibility which has to be uploaded onto the County Council systems and can take anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour.

Therefore, if you believe any of your residents are suitable for the scheme, please encourage them to contact our customers service team directly on 01509 263151 who can confirm if they are a council tenant to ensure the correct referral route is followed.

Residents cannot self-refer for this scheme.

Household Support Fund
In October 2021, the government announced £3.6 million of further funding to support vulnerable children and families. This new funding, Household Support Fund, has replaced last year's Covid Local Grant Scheme (CLGS).

The primary objective behind the fund is to give vulnerable households/families (with and without children) struggling financially, some peace of mind that they will be warm and well-fed this winter.

Vouchers and financial support from the fund can be used to help with food or energy bills and any of the following:

• Support with gas, electricity and water bills
• Supermarket vouchers which can be used for food, essential kitchen equipment like cookers or fridges or other necessary essentials such as warm clothing and bedding.

The fund runs until 31 March 2022 with referrals open until 14 March 2022.

Please consider accessing these funds for the people you are working with, supporting, who visit your services and match the eligibility criteria. All referrals must be from a 'trusted assessor' such as a professional support worker, Local Area Co-ordinator or agency.

Support available

Food vouchers

• Households with children - £40 per adult, £30 per child
• Single households - £50
• Multiple adult households - £40 per adult

Fuel vouchers

• Family household - £49
• Single household - £28

Restrictions to the grant

The grant is not:

• Intended to cover payment of rent or other housing costs
• To be used for general advice on managing debt and/or finances

Full details on the support available and any restrictions is detailed in the policy document.

Who can access the scheme?

Many families in Leicestershire have seen their financial or family circumstances change due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. If the individual or family you are referring are on a low income and receive certain benefits, they may be able to get vouchers or financial support through the household support fund.

A referral must be made on behalf of applicants, from a professional support worker, Local Area Coordinator or agency. No direct applications will be accepted.

Those who may be eligible might include:

• Families with vulnerable children aged 0-5 or that may not qualify for FSM that are known to social workers and Children and Family Wellbeing Service but are not accessing FEEE
• Vulnerable families with or without children
• Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people
• Gypsy, traveller or show persons and other vehicle dwelling communities

Individuals and families may also be able to get support if they receive any of the following:

• income support
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

Applications must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. The applicant must be a resident of Leicestershire over 16 years old

2. A family with or without children who are experiencing financial hardship, which means that they are struggling to feed their family, to heat their home, or with other household/utility costs etc

3. Had their and/or their children's identity verified by the professional submitting the application, by using a form of photo ID (confirming the lead claimant's identity) e.g. driving licence, passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate

4. Had their proof of address verified by the professional (confirming their residence) e.g. benefits letter, bank statement, utility bill, Council Tax bill. If homeless confirmation that they are currently homeless in Leicestershire (from a professional)

5. Eligibility confirmed by the suitable professional making the application. Evidence of financial hardship could include but is not limited to: difficulties and/or arrears due to inflationary energy costs those who have been made redundant and have not yet received universal credit, or other loss of household income.

How to apply

A referral from a professional support worker/local area coordinator/agency should be made on behalf of applicants – no direct applications will be accepted.

A member of the public who doesn't have anyone to complete a referral should contact a professional that works in the following settings:

• Registered charities and voluntary organisations
• Schools / Education settings
• Food banks
• Care organisations
• Children's Services
• Adult Social Care
• Housing
• Revenues and Customer Support
• Public Health
• Care and NHS professionals including nurses and GPs. Referrals received from other parties will also be welcomed
• Districts and Borough councils

Please visit the professional resources page to apply now.