The Department for Work and Pensions has announced a further extension to the Household Support Fund, this funding will run from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. As you can see from within the announcement it states:
Local Authorities have discretion on exactly how this funding is used within the scope set out in the accompanying grant determination and the guidance. The expectation is that The Fund should be used to support households in the most need; particularly those who may not be eligible for the other support the government has recently made available but who are nevertheless in need.
Utilising the Household Support Fund, Staffordshire County Council have developed a Professionals Referral Scheme that opened on the 14th November 2023. Approved referrers can complete the online referral for the families they are working with who will then receive a £65.00 supermarket voucher per household and an additional £20.00 per dependant.
There are over 1 million of the ringfenced budget remaining for this scheme that if not used by the 31st March 2023, will need to be returned to the Department for Work and Pensions. I am sure you all agree that with the cost-of-living crisis we need to all work together to get this funding to families that need it most.
Please find the link below to the online referral form for you to complete, PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THIS LINK WITH ANYONE WHO IS NOT LISTED ON THE APPROVED REFERRERS LIST. Staffordshire County Council Household Support Webpage
To apply click here – Household Support Fund Professionals Referral October 2022 to March 2023
For more information about this scheme please visit, Professionals only – Household Support Fund Professionals Referral Scheme Oct 22 to March 23 | Staffordshire Connects
** All applications will be open to full audit checks; these will be carried out as part of our audit and security processes
