Household Support Fund April 2023 to March 2024

The Household Support Fund is money given to councils by the Government to help people in need of financial support. The grant is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.You can visit the Government's Cost of Living Hub.

Sandwell Council has received £6.9million to help residents between April 2023 and March 2024.

This is how it will be spent:

  • £3.5million will be spent funding food vouchers for around 22,000 children eligible for free school meals over the Whitsun half-term, six week summer holiday, October half-term, Christmas holiday and February half-term.
    • A further £420,000 has been allocated to the above to increase the value of the food vouchers to £25 per week for the 2 week Christmas 2023 holiday period.
  • £1.3m will be used helping around 2,700 low income households that missed out on the £900 Cost of Living payment as they weren’t on a qualifying benefit. Find out more and who is eligible for this payment.
  • A further £500,000 will be used to support the council’s Local Welfare Provision scheme – where residents can apply for financial help in a crisis.
  • £120,000 will be given to local food banks and community pantries
  • £219,000 will be spent supporting households with a child with disabilities who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, who are most affected by increasing energy bills. Find out more and who is eligible for this payment.
  • £291,000 will fund helping council and private tenants in financial hardship who are struggling with paying their rent or rent arrears. The fund for Council tenants has now been closed for applications.
  • £380,000 will be used to support 450 care leavers and foster carers and special guardians.
  • £30,000 will be given to Welcoming Space.
  • £100,000 will be given to local employment services to support unemployed and employed people within Sandwell.

Except for support with rent and rent arrears, there’s no need to apply for the Household Support Funding mentioned above – payments will be made automatically to eligible households.

If you are experiencing exceptional financial hardship, applications for crisis payments can be made to the Local Welfare Provision Scheme.

The funding is limited by the Department for Work and Pensions. Once the fund has been exhausted, no further awards can be made.

Download our Household Support Fund policy for further details