Household Support Fund Payments

Overview

We recognise that energy and household costs remain high for households. The scheme can help with short-term living costs. This may include support towards the cost of:

• energy, water, 
• domestic heating or lighting products to improve energy efficiency
• home essentials (including sanitary products, warm clothing, soap, blankets, boiler service/repair, purchase of small goods i.e. a microwave, small fridge, slow cooker or air fryer)
• support with transport such as repairing a vehicle

Eligibility

• You are a resident of South Ribble
• Experiencing financial hardship and not have enough resources to meet your immediate short-term needs.
• You do not need to be on benefits to access the scheme

The maximum amount of an award that can be made is £300. This will be provided in appropriate vouchers.  For single-person households an additional £50 will be provided (a maximum of £350).

Evidence of any gambling on bank statements provided will be investigated further as awards may not be made where there is evidence of gambling.

The scheme does not cover:

• Any requests for items that are not essential for example debts incurred by gambling or loans/credit cards, overdrafts, HP etc.
• Applications from those with sufficient income, savings, capital and assets
• Requests for household items where these are the responsibility of the landlord.
• Rent arrears and/or deposits unless meeting exceptional need

Additional Information 

All applications must be supported with bank statements for all adults in the household and for all accounts held.

Bank statements must be for one full calendar month, showing transactions in and out of the account, the balance, name and address, account number and must be dated within the last 2 months

• Screen shots showing the bank account details only, will not be accepted but pictures of bank statements may be submitted but must show the above
• If applying for help with utilities such as gas, electric and water then the most recent statement from your supplier MUST be attached showing your provider, account details and any arrears or credit on your account.

If we do not have this information your application will not be considered.

What happens after you apply 

A council officer will look at all the information on your application before deciding if we can make an award. The information you provide will help us decide: 

• whether you meet the eligibility criteria
• the amount you may be awarded

If you have provided us with an email address, written confirmation of the decision will be sent to you by email. If you do not have an email address, the decision notice will be sent to your home address by second class post.

We have recieved a large number of applications.  So that we may assess your application as quickly as possible, it would assist us that you only contact us after 21 working days from the date of your application, should you not have had a response.  Please check your junk email folder before contacting us at communities@southribble.gov.uk 

If you need to appeal

If you don’t agree with our decision, you can contact the Household Support Fund team and ask us to look at your application again.

You must appeal in writing within one month of the date of your decision. You should provide any information you feel may help your application and we’ll review our decision and write to you with the outcome within 28 days of receiving your appeal.

You may not appeal if we assess that the application does not meet the eligibility criteria of being a resident in South Ribble.