The UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced an extension of the Household Support Fund (HSF) until 31 March 2025.

The fund will offer critical support and advice for struggling households across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) throughout the winter period, who are finding it difficult to pay for household essentials including food and energy.

Local councils are responsible for administering the fund in their area, with BCP Council being allocated £2.65 million of the £421 million national fund.

Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “I’m grateful for the six-month extension of the Household Support Fund. This decision shows that the government recognises how vital this fund is as a lifeline for those in our communities who are struggling the most with the cost-of-living crisis. However, we will continue to advocate for longer-term support from the government to address the root causes of hardship across our three towns.

“Additional support is especially crucial as we approach winter. With cuts to the winter fuel allowance, rising costs, and cold weather on the way, I strongly encourage anyone experiencing hardship to seek help from the council and its partners, including Citizen’s Advice BCP, Dorset Community Foundation and Ridgewater Energy, as we work together to help communities impacted by the cost of living.”

The fourth round of the HSF (1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024) helped to support over 60,000 people in the BCP area. Food vouchers were issued to 12,557 families, 7,000 households received grants to help with food and fuel costs, and 60 grants were awarded to community and voluntary sector organisations seeking to make positive change – totalling £400,000.

BCP Council is working closely with community and voluntary sector partners through the ‘Together We Can’ partnership, delivering a range of support including in the following five main areas to provide the most effective relief to struggling households:

• Household grants for essential costs

The BCP Citizen’s Advice team are administering household grants via an application-based process to help with essential costs such as food and energy. The team can also offer additional support to help maximise your income, including practical budgeting and debt management support.

HSF grant vouchers will be offered to eligible residents in two rounds over the winter, with the first round opening for applications on Monday 11 November until Friday 6 December. The funds are limited compared to number of applications that are received, and grants are prioritised for the most vulnerable low-income households.

For more information, click here to visit the BCP Citizen’s Advice HSF webpage, or call the BCP Citizen’s Advice line on 0808 278 7939.

• Food support

In addition to HSF grants which are administered via Citizen’s Advice BCP, support can be accessed through the BCP Access to Food Partnership. This partnership is formed of 300 individuals and 150 organisations all working together to make sure everyone has access to food.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the partnership includes food banks, community fridges, social supermarkets, community meals and cooking workshops.

Click here to view our interactive map of community food support and find a location close to you.

The HSF is being used to provide a school holiday food support scheme to help families with children. This is available to school age children through schools, and through the BCP Council Family Information Service for eligible under-fives.

The scheme provides supermarket food vouchers to eligible children, young people and their families during school holidays until the end of March 2025.

For more information regarding eligibility for children aged under five and how to apply, please contact the Family Information Service on 01202 093 131 or email familyinformation@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

• Keeping warm and energy support

Households in financial hardship can apply for financial support through the HSF to help with the cost of energy.

In addition to the household grants administered via Citizen’s Advice BCP, vulnerable residents can access energy help and guidance from Ridgewater Energy, whose expertise can help you save money whilst keeping your home warm.

Ridgewater Energy can provide financial support to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes through upgrades such as loft and cavity wall insulation grants, as well as other energy practical measures to help reduce energy bills.

For example, during the last round of HSF, Ridgewater Energy worked with community partners to provide 240 electric throws to vulnerable residents to help them stay warm.

The HSF is also helping to provide a number of warm welcome community spaces, so that people can connect with others and keep warm. There are a range of friendly welcome spaces in your community where you can meet others, join activities, get a hot drink or meal, learn about cost of living support, or spend some quiet time away from home.

We now have over 50 warm and welcome spaces available, plus space within 24 local libraries.

• Pension Credit

Older residents of state pension age (66+) may be eligible for Pension Credit.

Claiming Pension Credit could give you £3,900 per year on average to help with household and living costs, while you might also be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, granting an additional £200 or £300 to help finance heating bills this winter.

Recent data suggests circa 6,000 people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole might be eligible but are not claiming Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension, and you might get additional support if you are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Our BCP Citizen’s Advice team can provide support with Pension Credit, as well as guidance on managing debt, budgeting effectively, and accessing housing benefits.

The team also work closely with Independent Age and Age UK, who can provide support for older residents and offer free and impartial advice on a variety of issues including care and support, physical and mental wellbeing, money and benefits.

Community initiatives – working with our voluntary and community sector

BCP Council are providing small grants to the local community and voluntary sector organisations that are helping BCP residents. Organisations and groups can apply to the BCP Energy and Support Fund for up to £10,000 in HSF grant funding to deliver valuable initiatives that provide cost of living support.

The fourth round of HSF saw 60 grants awarded to community and voluntary sector organisations, including Access Dorset, operating a community space to enhance the lives of disabled people; and Kinson and West Howe Foodbank, offering community food support.

If you are supporting people with the cost of living, please find out more about the grants available. For full eligibility criteria and to apply, complete an online application form by midday on 11 November 2024. Click here to access the online application form.

 

 

 

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