Household Support Fund Phase 6
We are waiting for the details of this scheme to be finalised. Once completed we will update this page with information of the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The Household Support Fund Phase 5 has been provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Citizens Advice Bromsgrove & Redditch are administering the fund on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council. Each council has their own fund
If you meet the eligibility criteria, please select the area you are from by clicking the links at the bottom of this page. Clicking the links will take you to the correct online request form for your Council area.
Any requests made that are not within the Bromsgrove District Council or Redditch Borough Council areas, will be ignored.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA BELOW CAN BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE, IF REQUIRED.
Has NOT received funds from the Household Support Fund scheme with the last 12 months
Must be over 18 years (or a child who is living independently but is under the age of 18 years).
Have a household income of less than £31k (including means tested benefits)
Have insufficient savings to meet this need
Have insufficient funds in their bank account to meet this need
Have a vulnerability as defined below
Be responsible for your household bills i.e Rent, Council Tax, Gas/Electric, Water.
This fund can include households taking up new tenancies in social housing and the private rented sector to help them with essential items and costs.
The fund can be used for housing support costs where DHP and other housing support does not meet this essential need. Where the applicant is at risk of homelessness should be referred to the Housing Options Team at BDHT or the Homelessness and Housing Solutions Team in Redditch. Contact details for BDHT are 01527 557510 contact details for Redditch Homelessness and Housing Solutions 01527 534069.
Household Support Grant should not be utilised as an ongoing solution to support unsustainable tenancies.
The fund cannot be used to provide mortgage support and applicants should be referred to their lenders, but homeowners can qualify for support with other essentials.
The fund can be used to fund historic rent arrears if all other options have been exhausted.
Those requiring help with gas, electric, water, LPG tank top up, bottled gas, coal, boiler repairs and heating replacement or installation should be referred to Act on Energy. 0800 988 2881 support@actonenergy.org.uk
Please note Act on Energy will not provide emergency help for utility costs.
Applicants requiring food only can be referred to local food banks.
Vulnerability Definition
Vulnerabilities can be wide ranging and the list below is a guide and not an exhaustive list:
• Long Term Health Conditions/Households with Disabilities
• Households with high levels of debt
• Recently been made redundant
• Pregnant
• In receipt of free school meals
Eligible Spend
Applications can cover more than one element of the funding below as long as the value doesn’t exceed the applicable amount for the appropriate household type.
Essential Items
Warm clothing
Toiletries
Bedding (Blankets, Duvets)
Household Items
Purchase of kitchen equipment including Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines, Ovens, Slow Cookers, Air Fryers to save energy. NOT TUMBLE DRYERS
Help with Energy/Utility costs
Wider Essentials
May include but is not limited to:
Other bills including broadband and phone bills
Clothing
Essential transport costs – repairing a car, buying fuel, buying a bicycle.
Vouchers
Post Office vouchers will be awarded to successful applicants to assist with the purchasing of the required essentials. The maximum rates will be issued to the following households:
Single Households £200
Couples £250
Families £350
Any Households with a Pensioner and/or Disability will receive an additional £100
Definitions
- For the purpose of this grant the definition of a child is any person: Who is under the age of 19 in full time education and the applicant received a child related benefit eg Child Benefit, Child Element UC, Child Tax Credits.
- A person aged 19 or over in respect of whom a child related benefit eg child benefit is paid or free school meals are provided.
Evidence will be required to prove eligibility
Proof of a minimum 6 month residency at applicant address
• Tenancy Agreement
• Confirmation of Any State Benefits
• Life Assurance/Insurance Policies
• Letter from Solicitor or Inland Revenue
• Utility Bill – gas/electric/water/telephone/mobile
And:
Proof of Income
• Current Payslip/Universal Credit Statement or proof of other benefits, including name and address
• Self Assessment
• Two months Bank, Post Office, savings Statements (can also be used to confirm residency if providing over 6 months of same address)
If you meet the above eligibility, please click the area you live to register your interest.
Household Support Fund Phase 5 is Paused
3rd May 2024
We have received a huge number of requests from both Bromsgrove & Redditch residents, so unfortunately we have to temporarily pause the household support fund and will re-open it on the 20th May. We will continue to process requests in the system in the mean time, so if you have submitted a request, please do not contact us asking for updates, as this causes delays. Please review this page for any further updates.
Worcestershire Household Support Fund
Further funding has been made available for Bromsgrove & Redditch residents. This funding is from the Government Household Support Fund for vulnerable people
This fund has been granted by the Government to help vulnerable people during this very difficult economic period.
We are currently working with the County Council to distribute £75 cash vouchers to eligible pensioners NOT in receipt of Pension Credit, people with disabilities or a long term health condition, of any age, and carers of any age.
Please answer the questions below to find out if you’re eligible.
Your answers and details will be sent to Citizens Advice Bromsgrove & Redditch to further check your eligibility. If you are eligible you will be contacted. We do not contact people who are NOT eligible.
You will not be eligible if you have had a voucher within the last 6 months.