Household Support Fund

1 Overview

The UK Government launched the Household Support Fund (HSF) in October 2021. Since then, West Sussex County Council has used the fund to help residents in urgent need of crisis 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 support residents in need.

The fund helps households who are finding it hard to:

• pay essential utility bills
• cover basic living costs
• afford food
• meet housing costs in genuine emergencies

It also supports activities that help prevent families from facing similar financial hardship in the future.

The council will distribute the funding in several ways, including:

• through District and Borough Councils
• by accepting applications via the Community Hub
• in partnership with organisations like Citizens Advice, Carers Support West Sussex and local food 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 Application based element

The Community Hub continues to manage the application-based part of the Household Support Fund. It offers short-term help, mainly through supermarket vouchers, to support households with food costs. The voucher amount depends on the size of the household and is meant to meet immediate needs.

This is a one-time support offer to avoid creating long-term dependency. Alongside the voucher, the Hub provides targeted signposting to help people access longer-term support.

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

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

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

3 Support available

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 Eligibility

Those eligible for support via the application-based route include:

• a wide range of low-income households in need and is not limited to those in receipt of benefits
• disabled people who may be facing acute challenges to meet additional needs to manage their conditions
• Care leavers who face particular barriers as they leave the care system and begin to live independently
• people who care for others and are facing serious challenges because of their caring responsibilities for vulnerable individuals
• people who can’t access public funds - no matter their immigration status - if they have a genuine care need that isn’t just due to being without money

This list is not exhaustive and there may additionally be households that are subject to requiring support.

5 Apply for support

You will need to include proof of your hardship with your application. Our team will then review your situation to see if you meet 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.

Any households who would like further details, or believe they meet the criteria, can apply now via our Household Support Fund application form.

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.

6 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

7 Privacy notice

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

8 Contact details

Apply via our Household Support Fund application form:

Wider support

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