Central fund policy
Introduction
The UK Government has made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England, grant funding to support those most in need to help with significantly rising living costs.
The Household Support Fund is intended to alleviate hardship and support those most in need that have been affected by the significant rising in cost of living. It is to meet immediate needs and support those struggling to afford food, energy, water, and utility related essential expenses. Due to significant increases in energy prices, the rising costs of fuel and general cost of living, many households will be adversely affected and placed into financial hardship and therefore there will be a greater emphasis on supporting households with energy bills, food and water bills, and the general cost of living through the Household Support Fund.
The scheme can, in emergency circumstances, include provisions such as clothing, bedding, sanitary products, soap, essential white goods, and utensils associated with cooking and the preservation of food in an emergency only need (cooker, fridges, pans etc.), wider essentials such as boiler service & repair (owner occupiers only) and in specific emergency circumstances only assist with Housing costs.
However, the primary purpose of the scheme is support residents with expenses related to the rising cost of living, in particular, energy costs and food provisions.
The support allows applicants, who face a variety of challenges, time to find alternative solutions to shortfalls in income and help with the cost of living on a short term and temporary basis and it should not be seen as a permanent solution. The Local Authority will look to assist you with advice or by signposting you to other support where you can look to improve your income or lower your outgoings for a longer-term solution.
This policy sets out some of the factors that will be considered when deciding if a Household Support award can be made; it details the principles that will be followed. Each individual case will be considered on its own merits in accordance with the Local Authorities guidance and good practice.
The main features of the scheme are:
- The scheme is discretionary, and the claimant does not have a statutory right to payment.
- All applications must be treated individually on their own merit.
- The level of payment will be decided by the Council. Payment (award) levels will be determined by looking at individual household make-up, circumstances and average living costs and will also consider any debts accrued within the household and attributable to any utility or wider associated essential cost alongside any wider essential work-related expense as detailed above. Payments and awards will be administered and paid via the Councils Systems as deemed appropriate.
- The Household Support Fund is a short-term and temporary fund, accessible between April 2024 and September 2024, to alleviate immediate hardship and help residents who face a variety of challenges to find alternative solutions long term
This policy/guidance needs to be read in conjunction to that of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) conditions of grant and grant determination letters that can be found here as eligibility for support and principles of the grant will be implemented by Gloucestershire County Council.
- To prevent and reduce hardship and poverty caused by the rising cost of living.
- Encouraging and sustaining people in secure paid employment so they can meet their cost of living without further support.
- Help people through personal crises and difficult events that adversely affect their current financial situation.
- Supporting the vulnerable and elderly in the local community so they have assistance to meet their current cost of living.
- To support the most vulnerable residents who are least able to help themselves, so they have assistance to meet their current cost of living.
- To prevent and reduce hardship and poverty caused by the rising cost of living.
- Encouraging and sustaining people in secure paid employment so they can meet their cost of living without further support.
- Help people through personal crises and difficult events that adversely affect their current financial situation.
- Supporting the vulnerable and elderly in the local community so they have assistance to meet their current cost of living.
- To support the most vulnerable residents who are least able to help themselves, so they have assistance to meet their current cost of living.
To be eligible support you must live in the Gloucestershire. You must also be on a low income. This would normally mean you will be getting one of the following benefits:
- Income Support.
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance.
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance, or
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit only).
- Has claimed, or is in receipt of, Universal Credit but is experiencing financial hardship.
(You are not required to be in receipt of any benefits to be eligible to make an application)
AND/OR
- Unemployed or on a low income
- Affected by rising living costs including food and utility price increases
- You require support to stay in the community
- Or you are being resettled into a new home by the council or a voluntary organisation following an unsettled period in your life
Or you don’t have enough money to meet your (or you family’s) immediate needs after an emergency or crisis.
To be eligible support you must live in the Gloucestershire. You must also be on a low income. This would normally mean you will be getting one of the following benefits:
- Income Support.
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance.
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance, or
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit only).
- Has claimed, or is in receipt of, Universal Credit but is experiencing financial hardship.
(You are not required to be in receipt of any benefits to be eligible to make an application)
AND/OR
- Unemployed or on a low income
- Affected by rising living costs including food and utility price increases
- You require support to stay in the community
- Or you are being resettled into a new home by the council or a voluntary organisation following an unsettled period in your life
Or you don’t have enough money to meet your (or you family’s) immediate needs after an emergency or crisis.
The process is a 5-stage process to ensure that all applicants are assessed fairly and to ensure that we have the right evidence to support your application.
Stage 1 - Application
Before applying please note:
- There is no guarantee of support.
- This is not an emergency scheme.
- If you were successful in receiving support through the previous Gloucestershire Household Support Fund (and other grants administered by the council), you can apply again. However, we will consider previous applications and there is no guarantee of any further support
The applicant must make a formal claim for Household Support before the Council can consider making an award.
The claim must be made through the following methods:
- Online form - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/gloucestershire-welfare-support-scheme/household-support-fund-find-out-more-and-apply/ which also informs you of the types of evidence you will be required to send.
- Online form as above via a supporting professional
- In exceptional circumstances and for vulnerable residents, applications can be done via phone to a member of the Household Support Team. Please email the team to arrange this call by emailing localsupportgrants@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Please note, this is not an emergency fund and applicants will be dealt with in order of application. If you do require emergency support, please check out our support hub pages for further support options which can be found on our website
Stage 2 – Front Door
Once we have received an application, the team will start collating any evidence you have submitted and will respond to any queries you have at this stage.
Stage 3 – Assessment
At the assessment stage, the team will work with you to clarify any gaps in the application as well as gather any additional information and evidence from you to support your application.
Stage 4 - Decisions
At this stage, we will then make a decision on the application, which can only be based on any information received.
Possible outcomes of a Household Support application are that that the:
- Household Support is refused.
- Household Support is awarded in full.
- Household Support is awarded in part i.e., less support paid than applied for or paid over a shorter period.
- Or Further information is required.
The Household Support will be awarded on the basis of the known facts and evidence supplied.
When deciding on your application we will consider:
- Who lives in your household & what they can contribute i.e., Grown up children?
- Any relevant disabilities & reasonable associated expenses (further evidence may be required to verify expenses).
- Your Savings/Capital
- Your employment status – Have you recently been made redundant or unemployed & what pay you are eligible to. Self Employed. On Statutory Sick Pay
- If your landlord has been informed & whether a reduction or arrangement can be made
- Whether you have contacted you Mortgage provider and the outcome
- If you have spoken with utility providers & what agreements are in place
- Prepayment utilities
- Have you claimed all benefits/income that you may be entitled to:
- Free School Meals
- Council Tax Support
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit (if Eligible)
- Disability Benefits
- Child Maintenance
- If you are in receipt of benefit have all changes been notified & you now get your maximum eligible award.
- Would a Discretionary Housing Payment or Individual Assistance payment help you instead?
- Have you checked costs or received a quote for the repair of white goods against the cost of a replacement?
Stage 5 - Outcome of decision
Decisions will be in writing and will include details (if awarded) including:
- Period of the Household Support award.
- Weekly or total amount of Household Support award and how the award will be paid.
- The right of the claimant to ask for a review of the award and the time and manner of doing so.
- The right of the LA to amend suspend or cancel an award when deemed necessary or appropriate.
- The claimant’s duty to report any change of circumstances.
The Council will aim to make decisions within 40 working days where all applications and supporting documents are supplied. Where it is apparent that there are extenuating circumstances the payment time may be reduced.
Whenever possible, decisions on applications for help with the costs of food, goods for infants/children, gas, electricity, or emergency travel will be made before the end of the next working day.
The Household Support Fund is not an emergency service, but we will endeavor to make payments within 20 working days upon of receipt of a correctly completed application. Please do not call and chase payments within this time period as this will not make the process any quicker, you will be advised by email or telephone when a payment has been made.
Do note, during busy periods and in high demand, we may not be able to meet specific timescales and we will keep you updated where possible if this is the case.
The process is a 5-stage process to ensure that all applicants are assessed fairly and to ensure that we have the right evidence to support your application.
Stage 1 - Application
Before applying please note:
- There is no guarantee of support.
- This is not an emergency scheme.
- If you were successful in receiving support through the previous Gloucestershire Household Support Fund (and other grants administered by the council), you can apply again. However, we will consider previous applications and there is no guarantee of any further support
The applicant must make a formal claim for Household Support before the Council can consider making an award.
The claim must be made through the following methods:
- Online form - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/gloucestershire-welfare-support-scheme/household-support-fund-find-out-more-and-apply/ which also informs you of the types of evidence you will be required to send.
- Online form as above via a supporting professional
- In exceptional circumstances and for vulnerable residents, applications can be done via phone to a member of the Household Support Team. Please email the team to arrange this call by emailing localsupportgrants@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Please note, this is not an emergency fund and applicants will be dealt with in order of application. If you do require emergency support, please check out our support hub pages for further support options which can be found on our website
Stage 2 – Front Door
Once we have received an application, the team will start collating any evidence you have submitted and will respond to any queries you have at this stage.
Stage 3 – Assessment
At the assessment stage, the team will work with you to clarify any gaps in the application as well as gather any additional information and evidence from you to support your application.
Stage 4 - Decisions
At this stage, we will then make a decision on the application, which can only be based on any information received.
Possible outcomes of a Household Support application are that that the:
- Household Support is refused.
- Household Support is awarded in full.
- Household Support is awarded in part i.e., less support paid than applied for or paid over a shorter period.
- Or Further information is required.
The Household Support will be awarded on the basis of the known facts and evidence supplied.
When deciding on your application we will consider:
- Who lives in your household & what they can contribute i.e., Grown up children?
- Any relevant disabilities & reasonable associated expenses (further evidence may be required to verify expenses).
- Your Savings/Capital
- Your employment status – Have you recently been made redundant or unemployed & what pay you are eligible to. Self Employed. On Statutory Sick Pay
- If your landlord has been informed & whether a reduction or arrangement can be made
- Whether you have contacted you Mortgage provider and the outcome
- If you have spoken with utility providers & what agreements are in place
- Prepayment utilities
- Have you claimed all benefits/income that you may be entitled to:
- Free School Meals
- Council Tax Support
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit (if Eligible)
- Disability Benefits
- Child Maintenance
- If you are in receipt of benefit have all changes been notified & you now get your maximum eligible award.
- Would a Discretionary Housing Payment or Individual Assistance payment help you instead?
- Have you checked costs or received a quote for the repair of white goods against the cost of a replacement?
Stage 5 - Outcome of decision
Decisions will be in writing and will include details (if awarded) including:
- Period of the Household Support award.
- Weekly or total amount of Household Support award and how the award will be paid.
- The right of the claimant to ask for a review of the award and the time and manner of doing so.
- The right of the LA to amend suspend or cancel an award when deemed necessary or appropriate.
- The claimant’s duty to report any change of circumstances.
The Council will aim to make decisions within 40 working days where all applications and supporting documents are supplied. Where it is apparent that there are extenuating circumstances the payment time may be reduced.
Whenever possible, decisions on applications for help with the costs of food, goods for infants/children, gas, electricity, or emergency travel will be made before the end of the next working day.
The Household Support Fund is not an emergency service, but we will endeavor to make payments within 20 working days upon of receipt of a correctly completed application. Please do not call and chase payments within this time period as this will not make the process any quicker, you will be advised by email or telephone when a payment has been made.
Do note, during busy periods and in high demand, we may not be able to meet specific timescales and we will keep you updated where possible if this is the case.
The Household Support Fund is a temporary and time limited grant, which is to help provide short term support for those in most need. Gloucestershire County Council recognises that any support awarded may not always meet the full needs of the applicant but the grant is not a long-term support solution.
When applying to the fund, previous awards from the council will be taken into consideration which includes previous grants the local authority have administered. These include
- Children’s Fund
- Emergency Assistance Grant
- Local Support Grant
- Winter Grant
- Household Support Grants 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (October 2021 – September 2024).
The Household Support Fund is a temporary and time limited grant, which is to help provide short term support for those in most need. Gloucestershire County Council recognises that any support awarded may not always meet the full needs of the applicant but the grant is not a long-term support solution.
When applying to the fund, previous awards from the council will be taken into consideration which includes previous grants the local authority have administered. These include
- Children’s Fund
- Emergency Assistance Grant
- Local Support Grant
- Winter Grant
- Household Support Grants 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (October 2021 – September 2024).
The council will write to the applicant to confirm the Household Support decision but as an award is discretionary, there are no appeal rights to an Independent Tribunal. But the applicant can ask the council to look at their case again if they are not happy with the outcome of their request for support. This would need to be made in writing, stating the reasons you are asking for a review of the decision. Review Requests should then be sent to localsupportgrants@gloucestershire.gov.uk and it will then be dealt with by a Senior Manager and the outcome notified in writing within 28 days.
The council will write to the applicant to confirm the Household Support decision but as an award is discretionary, there are no appeal rights to an Independent Tribunal. But the applicant can ask the council to look at their case again if they are not happy with the outcome of their request for support. This would need to be made in writing, stating the reasons you are asking for a review of the decision. Review Requests should then be sent to localsupportgrants@gloucestershire.gov.uk and it will then be dealt with by a Senior Manager and the outcome notified in writing within 28 days.
Information collected during the application process will be used to assess an applicants’ claim. Information will be cross matched with other data held by the Council and third-party agencies e.g., DWP, HMRC for verification purposes.
In assessing a claim, it may be appropriate to make referrals within the Council or to external agencies to provide advice or support.
To allow the council to communicate and provide services appropriate to your needs, for example Free School Meal applications
The Council may also share data with both internal and external organisations for the purposes of validating any applications or support you may make or have made for other Council services such as Housing Applications, School Placements, Homeless Applications etc. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Subject to a legal gateway, your information may also be shared for the prevention of fraud and criminal activity with (list not exhaustive):
- The police
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Immigration Service, Absconder Services and/or UK Border Agency
- Health and social care organisations
- Other Local Authorities
Information collected during the application process will be used to assess an applicants’ claim. Information will be cross matched with other data held by the Council and third-party agencies e.g., DWP, HMRC for verification purposes.
In assessing a claim, it may be appropriate to make referrals within the Council or to external agencies to provide advice or support.
To allow the council to communicate and provide services appropriate to your needs, for example Free School Meal applications
The Council may also share data with both internal and external organisations for the purposes of validating any applications or support you may make or have made for other Council services such as Housing Applications, School Placements, Homeless Applications etc. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Subject to a legal gateway, your information may also be shared for the prevention of fraud and criminal activity with (list not exhaustive):
- The police
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Immigration Service, Absconder Services and/or UK Border Agency
- Health and social care organisations
- Other Local Authorities
We understand that people may feel frustrated during the application process but if those feelings escalate into verbal abuse and aggression towards our staff, we consider that to be unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Please respect that our staff are here to help and will be doing everything they can to bring your application to a satisfactory conclusion. Please note that funding is discretionary and could be withdrawn if deemed necessary. All applications are on a first come first served basis.
If, however, you feel that the process has not been handled in a satisfactory manner, you may feel you need to escalate the matter further. To do this, you can do simply by looking at our Customer Feedback and Complaints section on our main Gloucestershire County Council website - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/complaints-and-feedback/complaints-about-corporate-issues/
We understand that people may feel frustrated during the application process but if those feelings escalate into verbal abuse and aggression towards our staff, we consider that to be unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Please respect that our staff are here to help and will be doing everything they can to bring your application to a satisfactory conclusion. Please note that funding is discretionary and could be withdrawn if deemed necessary. All applications are on a first come first served basis.
If, however, you feel that the process has not been handled in a satisfactory manner, you may feel you need to escalate the matter further. To do this, you can do simply by looking at our Customer Feedback and Complaints section on our main Gloucestershire County Council website - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/complaints-and-feedback/complaints-about-corporate-issues/
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