Help for Households

The Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021, in order to support those most in need during winter, the first phase of the scheme ended on 31 March 2022. There have subsequently been four further rounds of the Fund.

On 2 September 2024 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced that the Household Support Fund (HSF) would be extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, with a further £421m of funding. As has been done for previous schemes, the fund will be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need.

The Department for Work and Pensions has recently confirmed that Lancashire County Council (LCC) will be given £9.6 million to support those most in need to help with significantly rising living costs. Lancashire County Council (LCC) will be distributing a proportion of this funding to District Councils. LCC have confirmed that Ribble Valley will receive £116,379.

Eligible households who are struggling financially and have a combined household income of less than £50,000 per year can apply for a food voucher.

The following voucher amounts can be applied for:

• £200 for single households
• £300 for households with two or more adults residing
• £500 for households with children (household with a child is a household containing any person who will be under the age of 19 at the time of award or, a person aged 19 or over in respect of whom a child-related benefit (for example, Child Benefit) is paid or FSMs are provided.

The applications will open on 20 November 2024 and will run whilst sufficient funding is available (please note the funding is very limited and will be distributed on a first come basis). Only one application per household.

PLEASE NOTE:  Priority will be given to new applications into the scheme.

If you and/ or your household received a voucher as part of the HSF5 application round (1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024) you will not be eligible to apply for a voucher.

Households who received a voucher as part of the HSF4 application round (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) will only be eligible for a voucher, subject to sufficient funding, after 17th February 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand applications into the Household Support Fund have been closed over the Christmas period to enable the current applications to be considered. Subject to sufficient funding the application process will reopen on Monday 6th January 2025