Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been criticized for not doing more to ease pressure on domestic budgets, but one measure he has introduced is the Family Support Fund, enabling local councils across the country to grant money directly to families in need. The £500m fund was first announced on 30 September 2021 as a means of boosting the economic recovery from the pandemic, with the aim, in part, of offsetting the end of the leave scheme and the £20 boost to Universal Credit. Mr Sunak said at the time that the measure would “offer a lifeline to those at risk of struggling to keep up with their bills over the winter, adding to the support the government is already providing to help people with the cost of living”. It was meant to run from October 6 to March 31, 2022, with £421m going to councils in England, £41m to the Scottish Government, £25m to the Welsh Government and £14m to the Northern Ireland Executive. Mr Sunak then extended the scheme in his Spring Statement on 23 March, making available a further £500m from 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022 in recognition of dire economic conditions, exacerbated at least in part by the fallout from the savage invasion of Russia in Ukraine. on February 24. Two months later, she extended it again to now run until the end of March 2023, bringing the total to £1.5 billion to, as the chancellor put it, help those who might otherwise “fall through the cracks ». Local authorities have been instructed to use their discretion to issue grants to worthy applicants, meaning the amount people receive can vary between households depending on their circumstances, although £200 is the prime rate. “The new Household Support Fund will be distributed by councils in England to directly help those who need it most,” the government said.
Cost of living: How to get help
The cost of living crisis has touched every corner of the UK, pushing families to the brink with rising food and fuel prices. The Independent asked experts to explain small ways you can stretch your money, including managing debt and getting things for free. – If you need to access a food bank, find your council website and then use your local authority website to locate your nearest centre. – The Trussell Trust, which runs several food banks, has a similar tool. – Citizens Advice provides free help to people in need. The organization can help you find grants or benefits, or give you advice on rent, debt and budgeting. – If you are feeling distressed and isolated or struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support. you can speak to someone free of charge over the phone, confidentially, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected] or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. “The grant will be distributed in small payments to support vulnerable households [and enable them to] meets daily needs such as food, clothing and utilities.” This leaves individual councils to set the criteria for eligible applicants based on the specific levels of need in their area. For example, in the London Borough of Enfield, the grant is distributed by the council by identifying those most in need from the schools and provision information it holds, while Birmingham City Council asks applicants to go through an assessment process to determine the eligibility. The application process therefore starts via your municipality’s website, which you can find here by entering your postcode. Search for ‘Household Support Fund’ on your local authority website for more details on how the funds are allocated and distributed in your area to see if you are eligible for a grant and if so how much. Other measures the chancellor has taken as part of his bid to tackle the economic turmoil so far include a windfall tax on oil and gas companies, a £650 lump sum payment for Universal Credit and benefits claimants, a £300 lump sum payment to pensioners on low incomes, an additional £150 one-off disability allowance and a £400 energy rebate for each household.
