About the Household Support Fund
With funding made available to us by the Department for Work and Pensions, we are investing £4.1 million between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 to support households most in need.
This financial support will be used for:
- Food vouchers – support for low-income families by providing e-food vouchers during school holidays, supporting up to 16,000 children.
- Local Household Fund – emergency short-term support for individuals and families by providing supermarket and fuel vouchers.
- Warm Homes initiative – support to help vulnerable residents stay safely in their homes, including emergency heating, fuel bill help, boiler repairs, and providing white goods, like fridges and washing machines.
- Grants for food, digital, essentials and prevention – funding allocated through the borough's voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise groups network. Supported by Action Together to provide support for food networks, essential items, improving digital access, and offering mental health, welfare advice and other preventative support.
- Work and Skills support – investment in our Work and Skills Team and Digitech Library to help residents access employment, training and digital inclusion opportunities.
We're working with partners across the borough, including the voluntary sector, community groups and charities, to make sure those most in need receive the right support.
Household Fund
If you're having financial issues, you may be able to access superstore vouchers, fuel vouchers and other help through our Household Fund.
Eligibility
Anyone who is in financial need is eligible to apply for this fund.
How to apply
Ring our helpline on 01706 923685
Essential supplies
We've allocated additional money to our voluntary sector partners who provide food banks, food clubs and food pantries. Residents can access food, essential supplies, cleaning products, nappies, baby food and sanitary products.
Job support and training
There's a variety of support you can access if you're looking for a job or training.
General practical and financial support
Help is here if you need it. You can get information, advice, help and signposting to services by contacting us using the contact details on this page.
You may also be interested in visiting the government's Cost of Living Hub online.
We'll continue to keep these pages updated when we have more information.
