A cost of living support fund to help residents in Nottingham is due to be launched next month. The £11 million pot of cash given to the city council from central Goverment will be distributed to help those in need pay for energy bills, school meals and food shopping.
Nottingham City Council's Household Support Fund 4 (HSF) will open in April and run until March 2024, with the first allocation being used for free school meal and supermarket vouchers for the Easter holidays. It is the fourth round of funding being offered to residents in the city to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Government has allocated millions of pounds to councils across the country to distribute locally to help with the cost of living. This money is on top of the national energy rebate for all households, which comes to an end this month (March) and the regular cost of living payments given nationally to benefit claimants.
The previous fund, which ran from October 2022 to March 2023, saw thousands receive support to help pay for the likes of energy, food and essential supplies through the current cost of living crisis.
Money given to Nottingham City Council was allocated in the following way, according to the council's official guidance:
- £2 million shared among households with children in receipt of free school meals, or with children five or under with equivalent eligibility;
- £1.55 million shared among households where one or more person is in receipt of or eligible for pension credit;
- £1.53 million shared among any other households who may be facing significant cost of living challenges, particularly those who may not be eligible for other Government support
- £210,000 used to make additional discretionary housing payments to help those who otherwise might face homelessness
Read more: DWP underpaid tens of thousands of state pensioners by £6,400
When the Household Support Fund reopens
For the 2023 to 2024 Household Support Fund, Nottingham City Council has been given £7,113,868 and it is up to the council how it is allocated. Nottinghamshire as a whole has been granted £11,292,900.
The HSF4 Grant will start to be distributed from April 2023 until March 2024, with an initial focus on free school meal and supermarket vouchers for the Easter holidays. You can check your eligibility for free school meals here.
Nottingham City Council explained: "Other support for energy, food and essential supplies will commence from May 1, 2023 onwards though our network of community partners and organisations supporting vulnerable residents."
How to apply for the Household Support Fund
You are likely to be eligible for the Household Support Fund if you are on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Pension Credit - amongst others.
Nottingham City Council has listed the contact details of some agencies those who want to claim from the Household Support Fund should contact:
- If you are a Pensioner, please contact Age UK Notts or Independent Age
- If you are a Nottingham City Homes tenant, please contact their Tenancy Sustainment Team
- If you are a Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing resident, please contact their Customer Services team
- If you are none of the above, please contact any of the six Advice Nottingham agencies listed below
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