Household Support Fund: guidance for local councils

On 30 September 2021, the government announced that vulnerable households across the country wouldwill be able to access a new £500 million support fund to help them with essentials over the winter. This funding coveredcovers the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 inclusive.

The new Household Support Fund waswill be distributed by councils in England to directly help those who neededneed it most. The grant waswill be distributed through small payments to support vulnerable households meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities.

OnAs 23the MarchBarnett 2022formula will apply in the Chancellorusual announcedway anto extensionadditional funding in England, the devolved administrations will receive up to £79 million of the Household£500 Supportmillion. Fund.This Thewill fundbe was£41 extendedmillion tofor 30the SeptemberScottish 2022Government, with£25 anmillion additionalfor £500the Welsh Government and £14 million offor fundingthe toNorthern Ireland Executive. It will be usedfor bythe localdevolved authoritiesadministrations to supportdecide vulnerablehow households.to allocate this additional funding.

Household Support Fund extension 1 OctoberApril 2022 to 3130 MarchSeptember 20232022

On 2623 MayMarch 2022 the governmentChancellor announced aan further extension to the Household Support Fund. The fund has been extended to 3130 MarchSeptember 20232022 with an additional £500 million of funding which will be used by local authorities to support vulnerable households.

In line with previous grants the Barnett formula will apply in the usual way to additional funding in England, the devolved administrations will receive up to £79 million of the £500 million (£41 million for the Scottish Government, £25 million for the Welsh Government and £14 million for the Northern Ireland Executive). It will be for the devolved administrations to decide how to allocate this additional funding.