Councillors have received the following message from the Director of Housing:
On 20 February 2023 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (“the Secretary of State”) allocated Croydon Council £6,027,379 Household Support Fund (HSF) Extension Grant for the period 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024.
Cabinet approval for the proposed allocation of the full award is being sought on 24 May 2023 and is anticipated to be rolled out on 2 June 2023.
Under my delegated authority, I have allocated £200,000.00 of the Household Support Fund to the Discretionary Support Team to distribute in advance of the Cabinet decision.
This will enable qualifying residents in crisis to access the application-based support element of the fund from Monday 15 May 2023.
All residents who fulfil the following eligibility criteria for the fund will have their applications considered:
Application based support.
· Top-ups for pre-paid energy and water meters
· Assistance with energy and water bills debts
· Food vouchers
· Essential items relating to energy or water e.g., clothing, bedding, heater, and appliances.
· Essential items relating to food e.g., slow cooker, microwave, cooker, fridge.
· Items related to essential transport e.g., travel ticket, bicycle and helmet.
· Other essential household items e.g., furniture, minor adaptions, draft excluders
· Housing support (in exceptional circumstances, excluding mortgage payment)
· Application turnaround time is typically 1-2 weeks. However, in urgent cases it will be done within 1-3 working days.
CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION BASED FUND
A. Primary criteria
· Evidence of a low income, and
· Evidence of a crisis or
· Evidence of hardship or
· Risk of escalation (including referral from statutory services), and
· An identified need e.g., vulnerability disability, health issue, carer, children
B. Secondary criteria
· Priority given to first time applicants, those not eligible for other types of help.
· Typically, one appliance only per application
· Awards typically capped and prioritised in accordance with published guidelines.
· Additional discretion can be applied in exceptional circumstances.
· Support with housing costs will only be provided in exceptional circumstances.
· It will not be awarded for ongoing housing costs or unsustainable tenancies.
· It will not be awarded to provide mortgage support.
· In exceptional and genuine emergencies, it can provide support for historical arrears.
It is important that the Household Support Fund reaches those most in need, and I welcome the support of Members in sign posting residents to the Fund. We are also notifying voluntary, community, and faith sector of these arrangements.
How to apply
Residents can apply via our website Household Support Fund (HSF) | Croydon Council or they can call us on 0208 760 5719 and applications can be taken over the phone.
