1 Overview
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has notified us of a text message scam where residents are being told they are eligible for financial assistance linked to the Household Support Fund (HSF), Cost of Living Payments and UK Home Office notifications.
If you think you may have been the victim of a scam, you should report this to Action Fraud or by phoning 030 012 32040.
On 2 September 2024 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced that the Household Support Fund would be extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. Local councils have been allocated funding by UK Government to support residents in need across the county.
£421m has been made available to county councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need with the cost of essentials via the Household Support Fund.
The expectation is that the fund is intended to cover a wide range of low-income households in need, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people, larger families, single-person households, and those struggling with one-off financial shocks or unforeseen events.
Household Support Funds will be available through a range of different methods including via district and borough councils, direct support through applications via the Community Hub and distributed in partnership with other organisations including Citizens Advice and food and fuel banks.
As well as wider community support, this funding will also enable us to continue to provide supermarket vouchers during the holidays for children eligible for term-time free school meals.
2 Eligibility
Those eligible for support via the application-based route include:
- a wide range of low-income households and is not limited to those in receipt of benefits
- disabled people who may be facing acute challenges to meet additional needs in order to manage their conditions, remain independent and avoid becoming socially isolated
- Care leavers who face particular barriers as they leave the care system and begin to live independently
- people with caring responsibilities who may be facing acute challenges incurred through their fulfilling these responsibilities for vulnerable citizens
- individuals with no recourse to public funds - regardless of immigration status, if there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution
This list is not exhaustive and there may additionally be households that are subject to requiring support.
3 Support available
Applicants who meet the criteria will receive a one-off financial support offering per household during the current 6-month period, which runs from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Support by way of information advice and guidance, including signposting, will continue to be available to all West Sussex residents throughout the full fund duration.
Food and household essentials vouchers
Successful applicants will be awarded the below supermarket voucher values dependant on the size of their household.
- Households with one or more adults: £50
- Households with one child: £50
- Households with two or more children: £75
Energy support
If you are currently experiencing financial hardship with no alternative option available and are concerned that your energy supply may be at risk of disconnection, complete an application for support.
Be aware that for all support (food, household and energy):
- no cash payments will be given
- applicants who meet the criteria will receive a one-off support offering per household only
- all applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and all support offerings are subject to specified criteria
- vouchers can only be used for the purpose they are provided for and are not for resale
- where vouchers are deemed unsuitable, an alternative hot meal delivery option remains available
4 Apply for support
Any households who would like further details, or believe they meet the criteria, can apply now via the Community Hub application-based element of the scheme.
You will need to provide evidence of hardship with your application form and our team will assess your circumstances against the eligibility criteria.
You will need documentation supporting your application, such as:
- proof of ID, photographic or official letter
- a recent bill or official letter as proof of address and residence in West Sussex
- evidence of benefits, including any discounts or reductions
- other relevant evidence of your household’s current hardship
We may not be able to process your application without the supporting documentation.
You don’t have to be receiving benefits to access help from your local council. If you do receive benefits, they won’t be affected when making an application via this scheme.
Fraudulent claims
Where West Sussex County Council suspects that fraud may have occurred, it will investigate the matter as appropriate. This may lead to criminal proceedings.
If a claimant attempts to claim an award from the Household Support Fund by making a false declaration or providing false evidence, they may have committed an offence under the Theft Act 1968.
Apply via our Household Support Fund application form.
5 Voucher FAQ’s
Vouchers provided are to be used for the purpose for which they are provided and are not for resale.
Be aware: Evouchers sent via email may take up to 72 hours to arrive. If an email address is not provided, then vouchers will be posted to the applicant's address, which may incur further delay.
- How to log in and view vouchers - EVouchers
- How to claim your vouchers - Evouchers
- Can my voucher be used online and when does it expire? - EVouchers
- How to access your voucher (step by step instructions) - EVouchers
- Check the balance of a voucher - EVouchers
6 Privacy notice
You can find details about how we use and manage your personal data on our privacy notice.
7 Contact details
Apply via our Household Support Fund application form:
Household Support Fund application form (external link)