About the fund
The UK Government provides funding through the Household Support Fund to help support Merton residents during the cost of living crisis.
There have been four Household Support Funding schemes. Each scheme has had an objective to support all low-income households with additional focus on specific target groups to ensure the widest range of help has been available to residents at different times.
Household Support Fund scheme 5
To support residents from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.
Funds received = £1,186,607
Focus of the fund – none identified by the Government. Targeted to low income households and those presenting as in need.
How the fund will be distributed
- £19,000 – to provide fuel vouchers to those in fuel hardship. This is being delivered in Partnership with Thinking Works. Referrals to Thinking Works will be made from a variety of Merton services and partnership organisations
- £34,000 support for care leavers, foster carers and special guardians. Paid directly to bank accounts. Eligible residents did not need to apply for this payment.
- £80,000 - to provide for application based referrals from residents for help with financial hardship. This is being delivered in partnership with Wimbledon Guild.
- £266,160 - support for residents in receipt of Council Tax Support on 1st April 2024. Each household will receive £30 each paid by Post Office Payout vouchers. Eligible residents did not need to apply for this payment. Vouchers will be sent at the end of June 2024.
- £750,750 - vouchers will be issued to families in receipt of free school meals towards the cost of food during school holidays. This has been paid by vouchers directly to eligible families.