Household Support Fund

1 Overview

The UK government launched the Household Support Fund (HSF) in October 2021. West Sussex County Council continues to distribute funding to help residents in urgent need of support across the county.

On 30 October 2024, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the fund would continue for another year - from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 - to offer essential crisis support according to local need.

The primary objective of the fund is to help vulnerable households in crisis by covering essential costs like food, energy, water and housing.

The fund also aims to prevent households from falling into, or deeper into, crisis by offering support that has a lasting, positive impact alongside emergency help.

The county council distributes the funding in a number of ways, including:

• the application-based element of the scheme via the West Sussex County Council Community Hub
• through District and Borough Councils
• in partnership with third party organisations including Citizens Advice, Carers Support West Sussex and local food banks

As well as wider community support, this funding also enables the county council to continue providing supermarket vouchers during the holidays for children eligible for term-time free school meals.

2 Application-based element

The Community Hub manages the application-based element of the scheme available to both members of the public who can self refer and professionals, including those working with vulnerable individuals such as:

• social workers
• keyworkers delivering early help and family support
• housing officers
• health visitors
• housing support officers

This is a one-time support offer to help households with food costs. We mainly provide supermarket vouchers and the amount depends on how many people live in the household. The vouchers are meant to be used straight away.

Each applicant also receives personalised information to help them find longer-term support. We tailor this information to each person’s situation. The goal is to guide them toward self-help and avoid creating dependency.

Households that meet the criteria can receive a one-off financial support offering during the following six-month period:

• First round: 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025
• Second round: 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026

This means that support is available to West Sussex residents throughout the full duration of the fund.

3 Available support

Food and household essentials vouchers

If your application is successful, you will receive supermarket vouchers. The value of the voucher depends on the size of your household. Households with:

• 1 or more adults receive £50
• 1 child receive £50
• 2 or more children receive £75

Energy support

If you are concerned that your supplier may disconnect your energy and you have no other support, complete an application.

How we support you

Be aware that for any support we offer:

• we do not give cash payments
• we only provide 1 financial support offer per household during a 6 month period as stated
• we assess applications case-by-case against specific criteria
• all applicants are expected to access longer term support using the signposting information provided

If vouchers are not suitable in your case, there is a hot meal delivery option.

4 Eligibility

The fund is intended to support a wide range of low-income households and is not limited to those in receipt of benefits. You may be able access financial support if you are:

• in a low-income household in need
• a disabled person facing severe problems in meeting your needs
• a care leaver
• caring for others and facing difficulty because of your caring duties
• not able to access public funds for any reason and have a care need

This isn’t a complete list - there may be other situations where we can offer financial support.

All applications are entitled to and will receive information, advice and guidance to suit their needs.

5 Apply for support

Once we receive your application, our team will review your situation to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.

You will need documents to support your application, such as:

• proof of your identity - either photographic or an official letter
• a recent bill or official letter to prove your address and that you live in West Sussex
• evidence of benefits, including any discounts or reductions
• other relevant evidence of your household’s current hardship

The easiest way to send us your documents is to scan and submit them with your form.

We cannot process your application without the supporting documents.

You don’t have to be getting benefits to access help. If you do receive benefits, they won’t be affected by applying for financial support from the Household Support Fund.

Complete the application form below if you urgently need help and have no other options.

If you have any questions about the fund, you can contact us.

Fraudulent claims

West Sussex County Council will investigate claims that we believe are false. If an applicant provides false information on their application form or provides counterfeit documentation, they may have broken the Theft Act 1968 and could face criminal proceedings.

6 Voucher information

Evouchers sent via email may take up to 72 hours to arrive.

You can only use vouchers for the purpose we gave them for. You cannot sell them.

If you don't give an email address, vouchers will be posted to your address. This may take longer.

On the Evouchers website you can find out how to:

• claim your vouchers - with step by step instructions
• log in and view vouchers
• use your voucher online - including information about voucher expiry dates
• check the balance of a voucher

7 Privacy notice

You can find details about how we use and manage your personal data on our privacy notice.

8 Contact details

If you need help from the Household Support Fund, apply for support.

Wider support

• UKHarvest
• Do you need help? - Citizens Advice in West Sussex
• West Sussex Wellbeing - provided by West Sussex County Council