£19m Household Support Fund now distributed in full across Lancashire
A vital support fund designed to help vulnerable families cover the cost of essentials has now been distributed in full across Lancashire, totalling more than £19m this year alone.
The Household Support Fund is a discretionary fund provided to local authorities by the Department for Work and Pensions. It's aimed at helping councils to provide support to vulnerable families including those who may not be eligible for other Government support schemes.
Lancashire County Council received £19,356,470 in the latest round of funding to help families that need support with the cost of essentials in the face of rising costs. This funding takes the total level of support provided to Lancashire residents to £48,391,176 since the fund was launched in 2021.
In Lancashire, the money has been distributed across a range of partners, including the 12 districts by the county council.
We have worked with districts to deliver funding to support a variety of schemes, targeting support for food, energy and general financial advice and assistance. This includes support to local food clubs and funding local foodbanks, supplementing the British Gas Energy Trust energy advice and working with Citizens Advice. We have also provided financial assistance during holiday periods for households eligible for free school meals assistance, by working with local nurseries, schools and colleges.
Districts have also made partnerships with local organisations to make sure they are reaching those households most vulnerable to cost of living pressures, including those that may not generally consider themselves eligible for support.
County Councillor Alan Vincent, Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council and cabinet member for Resources, HR and Property, said: "The Household Support Fund is just one strand of a series of support measures available to Lancashire residents.
"It is designed to catch those families who may not be eligible for other government funding but who are nonetheless struggling to cover essential costs.
"It's really important that we don't let people slip through the net and we're thankful to our district councils and other partners who are helping to support our communities.
"If anyone is in need of support I would urge them to visit lancashire.gov.uk/costofliving, which we established as a one-stop signpost for residents to enable them to more easily access help from Lancashire County Council, the Government and our local partners, including links to your district council as the first port of call for enquiries for assistance."