COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

This scheme is designed to be used to support households most need amid the cost of living crisis



Many benefit claimants in Coventry are due to be given up to £200 worth of vouchers to help them live through the winter amid the cost of living crisis. The vouchers are part of the government's Household Support Fund scheme, which has now been extended to cover the period from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

The fund is designed to be used to support households most need. Particularly those who would otherwise struggle with energy bills, food and water bills - including children and pensioners.

As part of the scheme, the vouchers will help provide support with essentials, such as energy bills, food and water, in recognition that a range of costs may arise that directly affect a household’s ability to afford or access such things.

The money will be used by local authorities, including Coventry City Council, to support vulnerable households, on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It is up to each council to decide how to distribute this cash. Some may choose to distribute the support via vouchers, others may give out cash payments.

Below is everything you need to know, according to the council's website.

What is the grant for?

The fund is available for both adults (without dependent children) and families with children and will be made available to vulnerable households who need additional financial support as inflation rises.

The grant can be used to help with the following:

• support with food
  
• heating/lighting repairs
  
• essential items such as sanitary products
  
• to pay for energy bills such as gas, electricity, oil and water/sewerage bills
  
• to purchase essential household items like fridges, freezers and ovens
  
• provide wider household support not linked to energy and water
  
• housing and homelessness advice
  
• Discretionary Housing Payments

In cases of genuine emergency where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need, the fund can be used to support housing costs. Eligibility for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) must first be considered along with whether the claimant is at statutory risk of homelessness and therefore owed a duty of support through the Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) These avenues of support must be exhausted before emergency housing support from the Household Support fund will be considered.

The grant cannot be used for payment of mortgage costs or to pay off debts. Depending on your circumstances you can make multiple applications.

Can I still apply if I have no recourse to public funds?

Yes, the fund allows us to provide a basic safety net support to an individual, regardless of their immigration status, if there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example if:

• there are community care needs
  
• they have serious health problems
  
• there is a risk to a child’s wellbeing

How much grant will I receive?

The government has allocated a fixed amount of grant funding to each local authority, so the award made to residents will be based on need.

How will I be paid?

If your application is successful, your award could be paid in the following ways:

• Food awards will be made by food parcel or a food voucher
  
• Support for gas, electricity, oil, water/sewerage will be made by either a Paypoint Energy top-up or Paypoint voucher
  
• Support for essential items may be via a grant-funded appliance award
  
• Support for essential repairs such as heating/lighting may be considered and an appropriately qualified engineer assigned to assess the problem
  
• Support for wider household essentials may be supported by a voucher award.

Will the grant affect my benefits?

No, this funding is applicable to all who qualify and will not affect your benefits. It is also available to people not on benefits.

There is an online application form available for those who wish to sign up.