Council continues to work with partners to support vulnerable households
Partner organisations continue to refer struggling households for emergency payments through the Household Support Fund
The Council is working with select support organisations that operate in the Borough to provide one-off payments to vulnerable households struggling with housing costs.
Referrals are made to the Council by partner organisations on a case-by-case basis, on behalf of residents who are facing exceptional circumstances or a genuine emergency, after other options have been discounted.
Payments are made indirectly to offset household expenses, freeing up finances to deal with the specific need.
The support has been made possible by the Household Support Fund, which allows local authorities to support vulnerable households and decide how to allocate this additional funding. It has been further extended again by the Government to 31 March.
Hampshire County Council have administered the fund locally under their connect4communities framework, creating a community grant fund (closing 31 March), a Utility Bill Support fund provided to Citizen’s Advice. The remaining fund has been allocated amongst the eleven district and borough councils for a Food Vouchers Scheme and an Exceptional Housing Support to be used before the end of this financial year.
The Council is not accepting individual applications and have taken this targeted approach to reach the most vulnerable households in the most responsible and effective manner.
Visit Cost-of-living support to access a range of national and local advice and support.