Vital financial support for households struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis has been significantly increased in one part of the UK, with a key change opening the scheme to those not receiving traditional benefits.
Emergency Grants Increased to £600
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has allocated funding to local authorities through its Household Support Fund, a scheme designed to provide a lifeline to low-income families. In Herefordshire, the local council has announced that the maximum grant available through this fund has now been set at £600 per application.
This emergency support is intended to help cover essential costs such as food, energy bills, and other unavoidable living expenses. The local authority has confirmed that the average grant awarded in the 2024-25 period was £480, indicating the new upper limit represents a substantial potential increase for those in greatest need.
Eligibility: A Crucial Shift Beyond DWP Benefits
In a significant move, the Herefordshire scheme explicitly states that applicants do not need to be in receipt of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits to qualify. This broadens the safety net to include working households on low incomes, individuals facing sudden financial shocks, and others who may fall outside the standard welfare system.
Eligibility is focused on demonstrating genuine financial hardship and a need for emergency support with essential costs that cannot be met through other means. To apply, you must be:
- A Herefordshire resident aged over 16.
- A legal UK resident who is not under immigration control (the fund is classified as a 'public fund' for immigration purposes).
- Someone who has not received a grant from this specific fund within the last 12 months.
The programme also extends to members of the armed forces who can demonstrate a strong connection to Herefordshire.
How to Apply for Support
The application process for the Household Support Fund in Herefordshire is not direct. Individuals or families cannot apply themselves. Instead, a referral must be made by an approved organisation or professional on their behalf.
This includes bodies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, local food banks, social workers, debt advisors, or employment coaches. These organisations will submit an online application for the person in need.
When a grant is awarded, the payment is made directly to the utility company or via a pre-paid meter for energy costs. If the support is for essential white goods like a cooker or fridge, the items are purchased directly from the provider by the scheme.
The fund is being administered locally by the Herefordshire Community Foundation on behalf of Herefordshire Council, using the DWP funding. The council emphasises that the support is targeted at a wide range of vulnerable groups, including families with children, pensioners, unpaid carers, and disabled people.
