Southampton City Council receives £2 million to support those in need via the Household Support Fund

Yesterday (Wednesday 15 May) Southampton City Council were awarded £2.2 million from the Government to extend the Household Support Fund

16/05/2024

Today (Thursday 16 May) Southampton City Council has been awarded £2.2 million from the Government to extend the Household Support Fund.

The Household Support Fund is funded by the UK Government and is provided to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need to help with the cost of living. The funding covers the period between Monday 1 April to Monday 30 September. Locally, this funding has been used to support some of our most vulnerable households.

Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City said:

"The cost of living crisis continues to affect all residents which is why I am delighted that the council has received funding to extend the Household Support Fund to help those who are most in need.

The funding will go towards funding free school meals during the holidays, supermarket vouchers and housing costs which will really help our residents who are struggling with the rising costs".

How the Household Support Fund is being spent locally

The scheme in Southampton will provide the following support to residents:

School Holiday Funding: To support families and children, funding has been allocated to provide Free School Meals during school holidays:
A £15 payment for each eligible child for May half-term
A £60 payment for each eligible child during the summer holiday
Support with Food: To support low-income households struggling with the cost of living and help toward household budgets:
Self-referral: Residents in need will be able to apply for supermarket voucher for £50 for the main applicant and then £10 for each additional household member. We will be open for self-referrals on the following dates and remain open subject to available funding:
- Tuesday 25 June
- Thursday 29 August

Please note that we will only accept one application per household. Households who apply and get the support in June will not be able to apply again in August.

Agency Referral: We are working with a range of trusted partner organisations who can also make referrals for very vulnerable households
Support to the local Charity and Voluntary Sector: Over £100,000 will be provided to local agencies to provide practical support and advice to residents in the city
Housing Costs: Additional funding of £50,000 has been set aside to help residents with housing costs

To be eligible to apply for the Household Support Fund, you must meet the following criteria:

Be a Southampton City Resident (if they don't live in Southampton, they must apply to their own local authority)
Be aged 16 years or more
Be recently, adversely financially impacted and in hardship.

For more information on the Household Support Fund and how to apply, please visit our website.